City 'might sell' Grealish after £100 million transfer, according to Paul Merson

Jack Grealish could be sold by Manchester City this summer after failing to adapt to manager Pep Guardiola's system, according to Paul Merson.

Grealish joined City from Aston Villa in a £100 million deal last summer but he's had a tough start to life at the Etihad Stadium.

The 26-year-old hasn't nailed down a starting spot and his previously off the cuff style of play seems to have been toned down.

Merson thinks there's a chance City cut their losses on Grealish sooner in the future.

He explained in his column for Sky Sports: "I had a feeling it would be like this - I didn't get the move to Man City. He's a top player, I'm a big fan of Jack. I didn't see it working really though. From the age of six he's been taught to get the ball, dribble with it and beat everybody. From the age of six.

"Then he comes through the ranks, gets into the Villa team and keeps doing that, and then goes to a team that is all pass, pass, pass. 20 years he's been taught one way and now he's got to stop doing that and pass the ball. And it's hard. It's hard.

"He's been getting the ball, beating the world, and then do what you want Jack. Now, he gets the ball and has to pass it. He might turn round and say he's loving every minute, but I think he's finding it difficult at the moment."

Grealish left Villa in search of trophies and he could end the season a Premier League winner.

However, City had a great chance of winning the Champions League before their dramatic exit at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Grealish has only scored five goals and registered three assists in 36 appeareances.

Merson thinks he'll will stick around for at least another season, but suggests Grealish won't have long to get it right.

He continued: "He's got to keep playing a certain way, they want to pass and they all know what they're doing. They have a plan, and he doesn't play that way.

"He gets on the ball and he wants to beat people, now he's got to change that at 25, 26 years of age.

"I don't think he's going to get used to doing it. I think they might sell him, I might be wrong. Maybe not this summer, but is the lad enjoying it? You've got to ask him.

"Pep is one of the best coaches in the world and he won't want to be seen to be unable to change a player yet, so I think he'll stay this summer, but Jack wants to play football. It'll be interesting."

City are locked in an intense title race with Liverpool, who drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening.

Jurgen Klopp's side are top right now, but City could leapfrog them and open up a three point gap with victory over Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.