City are set to have several senior players back in training from 20 July, according to Sacha Pisani, with Jack Grealish among those expected to report despite ongoing talk of a permanent exit.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rico Lewis, Kalvin Phillips, Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez and Savinho are also understood to be part of the first group back at the club’s training base, alongside a number of the club’s promising younger players.
Vitor Reis, Max Alleyne and Juma Bah are all reported to be involved, as are Claudio Echeverri, Divine Mukasa and Sverre Nypan, with young goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff also due to be present.
Jeremy Monga could join that group if City complete his move from Leicester City within the next fortnight, following confirmation of the 17-year-old’s five-year deal.
Grealish’s inclusion is notable given his situation this summer. Everton retain an interest in a permanent deal for the 30-year-old following his loan spell at the Hill Dickinson last season, though Football Insider reported this week that the Toffees’ valuation sits well below City’s £50m option-to-buy figure.
City are said to remain open to a sale under new head coach Enzo Maresca, and Grealish has continued his rehabilitation on Merseyside despite his loan technically expiring — but for now, he remains part of City’s plans for the return to training.
The 20 July date would give Maresca an extended period to work with his squad before the new Premier League season, with several other first-team players still to return depending on how far their countries progress at the World Cup.
Story is based on reporting from Sacha Pisani and not independently confirmed by Manchester City.
