Pep Guardiola has said that he is not seeing the best of Jack Grealish, and has urged him to fight for his place in the team, amid links with a move away from Manchester City in the January transfer window.

The winger has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium this season, with summer signing Savinho preferred by Guardiola in his starting lineup. It has led to talk that Grealish could be on the move in the January window, with Tottenham one of the clubs credited with an interest .

Speaking on his decision on his lineup, Guardiola explained why Savinho is preferred. He also sent a clear message to Grealish in no uncertain terms.

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“I fought a lot for him, fought a lot to be here – to say ‘come on, do it again, do it again,'" he said. “I saw him, I saw your level and I want that, every single training session and every single game. If not, Savinho.

“Does anyone think Savinho doesn’t deserve to play? No. He deserves [it]. That’s why I play him because he produces.

“As much as he looks at himself, he will see the competition and he has to compete, himself. Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho. I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah. I want it. But I try to be honest with myself for that.

“What happened with Savinho’s delivery in the box? It’s higher than the other wingers in that position. And they have to fight. You have to prove ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’. And every single day, and every single week and every single month.

“Two weeks ago, Jack was injured and he needs rhythm and to play but players need training. I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack or any of these players.

"But they have to, right now, today at 3pm, be at your best. It’s not about what they have done or will do, it’s about 3pm. The one hour 30 minutes, or one hour, 45 minutes, we’re going to play, the responsibility belongs to the players, not to me.”

Grealish was close to joining Tottenham from Aston Villa back in 2018, but new investment at Villa before an agreement was reached meant the deal didn’t go ahead. He instead joined City for £100m two years later.

Newcastle were also linked with Grealish but according to the latest reports they have pulled out of the race, handing Spurs a free run at the Engand international should they wish to pursue a deal. Football.london understands Grealish's wages would be huge, and that any interest would be contingent on City continuing to pay much of the player's salary in return for Spurs helping them out by taking him on loan.

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