Wednesday’s briefing: Grealish heads for Merseyside and Guehi could follow

Jack Grealish joined Everton on loan from Manchester City and Liverpool were understood to be in talks to sign England defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

Rangers progressed to the play-off round of the Champions League as Crystal Palace hit out at UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League.

Grealish seeks Everton spark

England winger Jack Grealish spoke of his “massive” switch to Everton after completing a season-long loan from Manchester City.

The 29-year-old has been looking for an exit from Etihad Stadium after making only seven Premier League starts for City last season, seeking regular football ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

“I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly,” Grealish said. “This is a great club, with great fans.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.”

Grealish will wear the number 18 shirt at Everton previously sported by Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, who he described as “my two favourite English players”.

Liverpool target England defender Guehi

Liverpool are in talks to sign Crystal Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi.

The 25-year-old captained the Eagles to victory against Liverpool in Sunday’s Community Shield at Wembley and is out of contract next summer.

The PA news agency understands the Reds are hopeful Guehi wants to join them but that personal terms have not been agreed.

Liverpool – who have signed Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez since winning the Premier League last season – are also understood to be pursuing a deal for 18-year-old Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.

Palace cry foul over European demotion

Crystal Palace have claimed “sporting merit is rendered meaningless” following UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League and the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s rejection of their appeal.

The FA Cup winners were demoted to the Conference League by European football’s governing body UEFA on July 11 after it determined that, as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had control or influence at both Palace and French club Lyon.

Palace appealed, but on Monday the CAS announced the London club had lost their appeal, with Nottingham Forest expected to take the place in UEFA’s second-tier competition.

A Palace statement read: “At a time when we should be celebrating our victory in the Community Shield at Wembley, the decision by UEFA and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless.

“When we won the FA Cup against Manchester City on that momentous day in May, our manager and players earned the right to play Europa League football. We have been denied that opportunity.”

Rangers make Champions League progress

Rangers lost 2-1 at Viktoria Plzen but progressed into the Champions League play-off after a 4-2 aggregate win.

Defending a 3-0 first-leg lead, Russell Martin’s men fell behind in a tepid first half when striker Rafiu Durosinmi fired Plzen ahead four minutes before the break.

Midfielder Lyall Cameron levelled on the hour to give Rangers breathing space before Svetozar Markovic restored Plzen’s lead on the night seven minutes from time.

Rangers will play Club Brugge, of Belgium, in the play-off round with the first leg at Ibrox next Tuesday.

What’s on today?

Tottenham meet European champions Paris St Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final in Udine, reward for winning the Europa League in May.

There are five Carabao Cup ties with Birmingham City hosting Sheffield United in an all-Championship affair at St Andrew’s.