Jack Grealish lined up as Florian Wirtz replacement with Man City star accepting Etihad career is over

JACK GREALISH is being lined up as a potential replacement for Florian Wirtz, SunSport can reveal.

The Manchester City and England star has accepted his career at the Etihad is over, and he’s set to become one of the most sought after players in Europe this summer.

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Jack Grealish is being lined up to replace Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen[/caption]

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Wirtz is expected to leave the club in a deal which could break the Premier League transfer record[/caption]

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New boss Erik ten Hag is said to be a huge fan of Grealish[/caption]

Tottenham, Newcastle, and former club Aston Villa are all among those reportedly interested in the player.

Italian champions Napoli are also strongly linked with the attacking midfielder, as Antonio Conte looks to build a squad that can compete in the Champions League next season.

Now, German giants Bayer Leverkusen are set to enter the race as well, with City wanting around £40million for him.

New manager Erik ten Hag is believed to be a huge admirer of the 29-year-old and has told Leverkusen chiefs he could be the “perfect replacement” for Wirtz.

Wirtz, 22, is set to leave the club this summer with Liverpool red-hot favourites to sign him, despite seeing a £113m bid rejected last week.

It’s likely to leave ex-Manchester United boss Ten Hag with a massive war-chest to spend.

And after landing Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, he’s planning to use some of the cash to try to tempt Grealish to quit the Premier League.

Sources close to the player say Grealish is attracted by the idea of playing overseas.

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He’s keen to make a fresh start and force his way back into the England squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

A fairytale move back to boyhood club Villa would also interest Grealish.

But their failure to secure Champions League football could count against them when Grealish makes his decision.

SunSport exclusively revealed how Newcastle were interested in signing the £100m City ace on loan. but would need to pay his full £300,000-a-week wages to complete a deal.

Grealish was told his City career was over after reports emerged saying he would be omitted from Pep Guardiola’s squad for the Club World Cup.

Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer of Grealish, but wants to see him playing week-in-week-out before considering him for his plans.