Tottenham Hotspur have 'little chance' of prising Jack Grealish away from Manchester City during the January transfer window, according to a report.
Three-and-a-half years after his £100m arrival from Aston Villa, the 29-year-old is still struggling to justify his nine-figure price tag, only registering two assists and no goals in 14 games this season.
Grealish was only an unused substitute in Sunday's 2-0 win over Leicester City after recovering from a knock, and he has failed to directly contribute to a goal in his last eight top-flight appearances.
The England international still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract with the Premier League champions, but his continued troubles have led to increased speculation surrounding a potential exit.
According to the Daily Mail, both Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United could offer Grealish an escape route from the Premier League, although it is not clear whether the two sides would make their move in January or the summer.
Grealish expected to stay at Man City in January
© Imago
However, a separate report from the Manchester Evening News states that the attacker should not be allowed to leave Man City midway through the campaign due to Pep Guardiola's selection crisis.
The champions-in-crisis have managed relatively well at the top of the pitch, barring long-term absentee Oscar Bobb, who is not expected back from his leg fracture until the first couple of weeks of February.
Matheus Nunes - who has also been filling in on the left-hand side when necessary this season - is also struggling with a knock, and it is unclear whether he will be fit to face West Ham United on January 4.
Rodri, Ruben Dias and John Stones are also lying on the treatment table, while Kyle Walker and Ederson have both come down with illnesses of late, so Guardiola is in no position to weaken his squad over the winter.
Grealish has contributed 14 goals and 20 assists in 143 appearances for the Citizens in all competitions since his arrival, but he has only appeared from the start in six Premier League games so far this season.
Will Man City make any signings in January?
© Imago
With several key names stricken and others in their 30s - such as Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan - Guardiola has conceded that a January rebuild might be necessary.
"If we can, we have to add players, definitely. We struggle especially at the back, in the middle," Guardiola told Amazon Prime before his side's 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day.
"Saying that, I don't know what is going to happen in the transfer window. In winter time it is not easy, but everyone is aware even the players ask themselves 'Oh, are we going to add some players please?'"
The Citizens have become famed for their barnstorming runs in the second half of Premier League campaigns, but there is next to no chance of a springtime turnaround reviving their title charge.
Guardiola's side are 14 points below leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand on the faltering holders, while they are also four points off the Champions League places at the halfway mark.
Ben Knapton
