However, Maresca will not be oblivious to images that have circulated in recent months appearing to show Grealish drinking during the afternoon on at least two occasions — a concern that may deter potential buyers as much as it complicates his chances of a recall.
The former Aston Villa captain turns 31 in September. Having been a central figure in City's historic Treble triumph in 2023, he now finds himself on the periphery, without a competitive appearance since January.
Phillips also faces uncertain path
Grealish is not alone in his predicament. Kalvin Phillips has also returned to City following a fruitless loan stint at Sheffield United in the Championship last season. The England midfielder has managed just seven minutes of EFL Cup action for City since his high-profile move from Leeds in 2022, and his exclusion from the tour squad makes a permanent departure look all but inevitable this summer.
City head east with a new-look group
Manchester City have named a squad of 28 players for three friendly matches on tour. Several first-team regulars are absent, including Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, and new signings Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki — all given time off following their involvement at the World Cup. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Antoine Semenyo add experience to a group drawn largely from the club's elite development ranks.
Maresca's first match in charge comes against Serie A champions Inter Milan on Saturday, with further fixtures against K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid in Seoul the following week.
As City launch a new era under their new head coach, Grealish faces a defining summer that could determine whether he has any future at Etihad Stadium.
