Grealish absent again as City face Palace with future still unresolved

Jack Grealish was left out of Manchester City’s squad for their Premier League trip to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with the England winger’s future at the club still unresolved ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a return to former club Aston Villa as well as a permanent move to Everton, where he spent last season on loan. Despite continuing to train with Pep Guardiola’s first team, Grealish did not travel with the squad — a notable omission given he had featured as a substitute in both the Community Shield against Arsenal and City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Matheus Nunes also missed the fixture after being flagged as a doubt in the build-up. The Portugal international had pulled up with a problem during the Community Shield warm-up but recovered to come off the bench against Bournemouth. He was ruled out entirely for the Palace game, with Abdukodir Khusanov preferred at right-back ahead of Rico Lewis.

Khusanov’s inclusion is significant in the context of City’s transfer activity. The defender is understood to be one of the reasons the club stepped back from pursuing a dedicated right-back signing this summer.

In attack, City are exploring alternatives to Grealish. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has emerged as a primary target as the club look to add another forward before the window shuts, while Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has also been considered. A move for Chelsea winger Pedro Neto appears to have collapsed after Chelsea held firm on a £100 million valuation.