Manchester City are favourites to land £100m-rated Jack Grealish this summer
Manchester City are emerging as favourites to sign Aston Villa and England midfielder Jack Grealish this summer.
The 25-year-old is the hottest property in English football following his performances for Villa this season with all the top Premier League sides keen to sign him.
Grealish signed a new five year contract on the eve of the season after City’s neighbours Manchester United failed to come up with the cash to prise him away.
Manchester City are the favourites to snap up Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish this summer, with Pep Guardiola (R) a known admirer
Grealish is enjoying the best season of his career and has been linked with an exit from Villa
Villa valued their captain at around £100million last summer and he has kicked on since, as has the club.
Key in the covid-dominated economic climate is who will be able to afford him and City are best placed. Coach Pep Guardiola has previously described Grealish as ‘an exceptional player’ and is a confirmed admirer, while Grealish himself is understood to be excited at the prospect of linking up with such a multi-talented squad.
He even spoke candidly recently about how he revered Kevin de Bruyne as the best player in the Premier League.
The midfielder is understood to be excited about the possibility of moving to the Etihad
The move would come as a blow to United who have already warned against expectation of them shelling out huge fees this summer.
Though they made enquiries about Grealish last August, they took a decision to sign Donny van de Beek from Ajax for £35m believing they would still have enough in the budget to bid for either Grealish or Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho but the financial pinch meant they were forced to shelve those offers and shift their sights.
A disappointing first season has since left Van de Beek questioning the move while United still want to bolster their attack and creativity but may now struggle to compete with their fierce rivals.
Man United and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) were keen on Grealish last summer but may not be able to compete with City financially
Grealish, fitness permitting, is expected to be part of England manager Gareth Southgate’s squad for the European Championships where his star could rise further alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.
Villa are loathe to sell their captain and have wealthy owners but there is an acceptance that should Grealish want to move up another level and their valuation is met, they will not stand in his way.
City are also monitoring developments with Sporting Lisbon left back Nuno Mendes and have discussed Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
