Weekly Highlights No. 4

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#1: Man City Faces Significant Loss on Jack Grealish Sale

Manchester City is prepared to offload Jack Grealish this summer for £40 million, a steep decline from the £100 million they originally paid for him. Grealish will not be part of the squad traveling to the U.S. for the Club World Cup.

Pep Guardiola has informed Grealish that his return to the team is unlikely, prompting City to expedite his transfer process. As a result, his agent is actively seeking a new club for the 29-year-old midfielder.

Grealish is the second player to leave Guardiola’s squad this summer, following Kevin De Bruyne. Other players like Kyle Walker and John Stones may also be on the move as Guardiola aims to refresh the team with younger, more ambitious players.

City plans to sign Tijjani Reijnders for £42.6 million and is close to securing Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £30 million. Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is also expected to undergo a medical at Etihad after a £34 million agreement with Wolves.

Grealish has two years left on his contract, earning a high salary of £300,000 per week, which complicates his search for a suitable new club. Aston Villa, Newcastle, Everton, West Ham, and Napoli have shown interest, but Grealish may need to accept a pay cut to transfer.

#2: Bayern Munich Determined to Outbid Barcelona for Nico Williams

Bayern Munich is making a strong push to sign Nico Williams, offering a salary exceeding €15 million to outmaneuver Barcelona. The competition for Williams' signature has intensified, with Bayern reportedly willing to pay over €12 million annually, positioning him among the club's highest earners alongside players like Gnabry, Coman, Musiala, and Müller.

This offer significantly surpasses Barcelona's current financial capabilities, as they can only promise €12 million due to La Liga’s salary cap restrictions. Despite their interest in Williams, Barcelona is struggling to comply with salary regulations and register new players.

Bayern’s financial strength gives them a clear advantage, especially as they seek to rebuild for the future following the departures of Leroy Sane and Müller after the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The allure of playing in the Bundesliga, where Bayern is a consistent contender in the Champions League, adds to their appeal.

However, Nico Williams remains inclined to wait for Barcelona, hoping to play alongside friends like Lamine Yamal and Pedri. Barcelona's sporting director Deco has acknowledged the need to negotiate with Bilbao, considering options like staggered payments to meet Williams' €58 million release clause. If negotiations stall, Williams may reconsider and entertain Bayern's lucrative offer.

#3: Man City Fined $1.4 Million for Delayed Kickoffs

Manchester City has been fined over $1.4 million by the Premier League for nine violations related to kickoff times during the 2024-2025 season. This breach falls under Section L.33 of the league's regulations, which governs the punctuality of match starts.

This marks the second consecutive season that Manchester City has faced penalties for this issue. Last year, they were fined $2.7 million for 22 violations, including eight in the 2022-2023 season and 14 in the 2023-2024 season.

The Premier League stated that regulations concerning match start times are essential for maintaining high professional standards and ensuring reliability for fans and participating clubs. Manchester City accepted the fine and issued an apology.

Of the nine violations this past season, six occurred at home, including matches against Southampton, Tottenham, and Manchester United. Notably, the derby against Manchester United on December 15, 2024, experienced delays both at kickoff and during halftime, totaling 3 minutes and 42 seconds. The club must pay the fine within 14 days.

#4: European Giants Outshined as Brazil Leads South America in FIFA Club World Cup

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, featuring an expanded format of 32 teams, is witnessing a remarkable resurgence from South American representatives. After more than a decade of being overshadowed by European powerhouses, South American football is reigniting hope with impressive performances in the U.S.

Historically, since the tournament's globalization by FIFA in 2000, Europe has dominated, with South America claiming only four titles in 20 editions, all by Brazilian clubs. However, 2025 marks a turning point. Botafogo defeated reigning European champions PSG with a tactical and disciplined approach, while Flamengo stunned Chelsea with a 3-1 comeback, showcasing a lineup with several former European players. Other teams like Palmeiras, Fluminense, River Plate, and Boca Juniors have also made their mark, drawing against Porto and Dortmund and nearly defeating Benfica.

Currently, three Brazilian teams—Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Flamengo—have advanced to the next round, all competing in groups with European giants. Palmeiras topped Group A, often considered the strongest, while Botafogo eliminated Atletico Madrid. Flamengo secured their spot early by defeating Chelsea and Esperance de Tunis. River Plate and Fluminense are also performing well and are on track to reach the knockout stage.

#5: Endrick Faces Trouble at Real Madrid: Alonso Considers Exclusion, Perez Open to Sale

Coach Xabi Alonso has expressed concerns about striker Endrick's performance, suggesting he may be left out of the squad for the 2025/26 season. Alonso prefers to use Gonzalo Garcia as a backup for Mbappe during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, putting the Brazilian star in a difficult position.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Real Madrid acknowledges that Endrick's adjustment period has been more challenging than anticipated, raising the possibility of a notable transfer in the coming weeks. Alonso favors players who fit his tactical approach, and Endrick has struggled to meet those expectations, increasing the likelihood of his exclusion next season.

Endrick is aware that he needs quality playing time to avoid falling behind in the Brazilian national team, especially with the World Cup 2026 approaching. Consequently, he is contemplating a move away from Real Madrid if his situation doesn't improve.

Real Madrid is considering two options: loaning Endrick to a club participating in European competitions or selling him outright for around €40-50 million. The club originally acquired him from Palmeiras for €72 million, but his contributions have been limited, scoring just 7 goals and providing 1 assist in 37 matches during the 2024/25 season. Meanwhile, Real Madrid prepares for their third group match against Salzburg in the FIFA Club World Cup, currently sitting at the top of Group H with 4 points.