Erling Haaland (25) misses his 'best friend' Jack Grealish (30, both from Manchester City).

Haaland posted a selfie with an empty seat beside him on his social media (SNS) on the 13th (Korea time), asking, "Where are you, Jack Grealish?" His expression was blank, but he appeared to miss his close friend Grealish.

Haaland and Manchester City (Man City) are heading to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The tournament will kick off with their first match against Wydad (Morocco) in Philadelphia on the 19th.

However, there was a name not included in the 27-player Manchester City roster. Grealish was among them. Grealish, who transferred from Aston Villa in 2021, has seen his status in the team diminish this season.

Grealish signed a six-year contract with Manchester City for £100 million (approximately 185.2 billion won) when he moved from Aston Villa. However, he gradually lost his standing under manager Pep Guardiola and made only 20 league appearances (7 starts) in the 2024-2025 season.

Grealish is considered a player not included in Guardiola's plans for next season. The reason for his exclusion from the roster also implies that he should find a new team.

Nevertheless, there is already a colleague who wants to see Grealish. That is the front striker Haaland. He and Grealish developed a perfect synergy while playing together at Manchester City.

In response, Grealish immediately replied. He shared a video on his SNS showing his legs and a seaside landscape, depicting a tranquil harbor. The caption noted, "It's peaceful."

Following that, pictures of Haaland and Grealish always sitting next to each other during travels appeared on SNS. It seems unlikely that they will travel together in the future.

The British publication 'The Sun' reported that Haaland and Grealish share a strong friendship. In the past, Grealish noted about Haaland, "He is the most professional person I've ever seen. After a match, he looks at me and says, 'Don't go out tonight.'"

Grealish praised, "Haaland does everything perfectly, from 10 hours of recovery training, ice baths, to a rigorous diet," adding, "It's a level I can hardly keep up with."

Haaland also expressed his affection for Grealish during an interview after winning the Premier League in 2024. He interrupted a live interview with 'Sky Sports' to say, "I really love you."

Meanwhile, the media reported that Manchester City has set Grealish's market value at £40 million (approximately 74.1 billion won) and is willing to sell him. England coach Thomas Tuchel recently warned Grealish, "Consistent appearances are a prerequisite for participating in the World Cup."

Grealish is being linked to a transfer to Newcastle United. Newcastle is offering a weekly salary of £300,000. Bayer Leverkusen, led by manager Erik Ten Hag, is also interested in Grealish as a replacement for Son Heung-min.

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