Man City ‘enter race’ for Chelsea transfer target after sanctioning Jack Grealish exit

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It has been a busy Monday for Manchester City, with three players in line to leave the Etihad Stadium before the start of the season.

Savinho is a surprise transfer target for Tottenham, as first revealed by TBR Football last week. City will insist on at least £50m for Savinho as they are reluctant to sell him after just one season, but never stand in the way of a player who wants to leave.

Jack Grealish is closing in on a loan move to Everton for the 2025/26 season after City told the England international he could find a new club. And TBR Football also understand that James McAtee is closing in on a transfer to Nottingham Forest.

Those exits could free up space for a late summer move for another attacking midfielder to help City provide for striker Erling Haaland.

Manchester City ‘make contact’ with Xavi Simons agent

With a vacancy opening up behind Haaland, City have been linked with a huge move for Real Madrid winger Rodrygo – and they could also be interested in Netherlands international Xavi Simons.

TBR Football understands that Chelsea had been hoping to sign Simons from RB Leipzig for £50m, and now reports suggest City could be entering the race to secure his signature.

According to Sacha Tavolieri on Twitter, City have made contact with Simons’ agent in a bid to hijack the Chelsea deal and secure a replacement for their departing attackers.

The winger, 22, has long been linked with City during his time at PSV Eindhoven and Paris Saint-Germain before his permanent switch to Leipzig last summer.

Versatile Xavi Simons could ease blow of Savinho exit for Manchester City

While Jack Grealish and James McAtee were fringe figures for City last season, Savinho played a prominent role following his £33m move from Girona.

Despite only scoring three goals, just one coming in the Premier League, he provided 13 assists and showed plenty of promise that City would have hoped for him to realise in the coming campaign.

With club legend Kevin De Bruyne also departing the Etihad, City need more options in the attacking midfield areas, so Simons’ versatility could be a useful weapon if he does sign.

Across his 76 games for RB Leipzig, Simons has played across the midfield, mostly off the left flank but also on the right and in a number ten role. While losing Savinho would be an unexpected blow, Simons could represent a ready-made replacement with a better record and a more versatile approach.