Papers: Grealish attracting interest from Saudi side Al Hilal

Jack Grealish’s future is back in the spotlight after reports on Thursday evening that Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal have emerged as a serious suitor for the Manchester City winger. The development arrives amid growing uncertainty over Grealish’s role at City following his exclusion from pre-season preparations, which has seen him train privately with Segunda División side Racing de Santander. With the transfer window still open, the Saudi move could represent a dramatic shift in the 26-year-old’s career trajectory—one that would reunite him with former England teammate Kalvin Phillips, who joined the Saudi Pro League last summer.

Why Grealish’s exit door is ajar

The immediate catalyst for the speculation is Grealish’s absence from Manchester City’s pre-season squad, a decision that has been interpreted as a signal of reduced first-team plans under Pep Guardiola. According to The Sun, Grealish has been training separately with Racing de Santander while contract talks remain stalled over his future at the Etihad Stadium. The combination of limited minutes in pre-season and the club’s reluctance to include him in their tour of the United States has fuelled questions over his long-term role under Guardiola, despite his £100,000-a-week wages and just 18 months left on his contract.

Al Hilal’s interest adds a fresh dimension. The Saudi outfit, managed by former Chelsea boss Jorge Jesus, has been active in the transfer market this summer and is now targeting a left-winger. Grealish, despite operating primarily on the right for City, has experience cutting inside and delivering crosses from wider positions—qualities that could align with Al Hilal’s attacking system. The move would reunite him with Phillips, who has made 23 appearances for Al Hilal since his £12m move last summer, and would offer Grealish a significant financial uplift in a league where wages are untaxed and transfer fees are rising sharply.

United’s Rashford gamble and Europe’s race for Rayan

Manchester United are exploring an unconventional route to strengthen their midfield, with The Express reporting that Marcus Rashford could be deployed as part-exchange in a deal for Roma’s Manu Kone. The 24-year-old French midfielder has been a consistent performer in Serie A, averaging 0.32 goals and assists per 90 minutes last season, and United’s interest underscores their need to add creativity in the centre. Whether Rashford, who has scored 12 Premier League goals in each of the last two seasons, would be willing to leave Old Trafford—amid reports of dressing-room tension under Erik ten Hag—remains unclear, particularly given his central role in United’s attacking plans.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s 19-year-old forward Rayan Cherki is the subject of a multi-club scramble. The Sun claims Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, Arsenal, and Liverpool are all monitoring the teenager, who has impressed during pre-season with two goals in three appearances. His rapid development has caught the eye of Europe’s elite, and a bid from any of those clubs would represent a significant statement of intent in the race to sign young talent—particularly given his contract situation, with Bournemouth reportedly willing to sell for around £50m to trigger his release clause.

Everton revive Delap pursuit as Romero’s Inter link resurfaces

Everton are preparing to reignite their interest in Chelsea striker Liam Delap, according to talkSport. The Toffees, desperate for goals after a difficult start to the season, view the 23-year-old as a potential long-term solution up front. Delap’s physical presence and hold-up play could offer a different profile to the club’s current options, particularly given his Championship-winning form last season, where he scored 15 goals in 37 appearances for Derby County. His potential arrival would add depth to Everton’s striking options, which have been limited by injuries to Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil’s occasional deployment as a false nine.

In Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Cristian Romero discussed a potential move to Inter with Lautaro Martinez during the World Cup. The Argentina defender, who has been linked with a return to Serie A, could provide competition for Inter’s defensive options if a deal materialises. The conversation between Romero and Martinez hints at a personal connection that may influence any transfer, particularly given Martinez’s influence within Inter’s squad and his history of working with Romero at the international level.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are monitoring Villarreal right-back Daniel Munoz after their agreement to sell Maxence Lacroix to Bayer Leverkusen for a reported £35m. The potential arrival of Munoz would add depth to Mauricio Pochettino’s defensive options, though his availability may depend on Lacroix’s medicals in Germany. Munoz, who has made 31 appearances for Villarreal this season, would provide competition for Reece James and Ben Chilwell, particularly given his ability to play on either flank.

Scotland’s transfer shuffle intensifies

At Celtic, the club will establish a new fan engagement group to improve dialogue with supporters, addressing recent unrest over season-ticket pricing and squad changes. The move follows criticism of the board’s communication strategy and aims to rebuild trust ahead of the new campaign, particularly after protests over the club’s decision to raise prices by up to 20% despite a squad overhaul.

Rangers, meanwhile, are set to lose John Souttar after a host of EFL clubs expressed interest in the Scotland defender. The 31-year-old, who has been a key figure at Ibrox, could depart before the window closes, leaving a gap in the club’s defensive structure. Souttar’s potential departure would follow the loss of fellow defender Leon Balogun, who left for Millwall in June, and would leave Rangers with a defensive reshuffle to manage in the coming weeks.

As the transfer window enters its final stretch, the Grealish saga encapsulates the broader narrative of Premier League stars weighing up moves to Saudi Arabia. With financial incentives and the lure of a new challenge, the coming days will determine whether Grealish follows the path of Phillips and others—or remains in Manchester under Guardiola’s watchful eye. For United, the Rashford-Kone link offers a high-risk, high-reward strategy, while Europe’s pursuit of Rayan signals the next generation of attacking talent up for grabs. The next 72 hours promise to reshape multiple careers, with the potential for seismic shifts in the Premier League and beyond.