Manchester City are preparing a bid of around £75 million, plus add-ons, as they close in on a Jack Grealish transfer from Aston Villa. However, the Villains are hoping to keep their talisman and will hold out for £100 million.
Jack Grealish Transfer: Manchester City Ready to Bid for Aston Villa Man
Can Grealish be Tempted to Leave His Boyhood Club?
Simon Jones for The Daily Mail reports that Manchester City are preparing a £75 million bid for Jack Grealish, although they are willing to up this bid to £100 million. The initial bid will therefore test the waters and initiate negotiations between the clubs. The Birmingham Live reports that from Aston Villa’s perspective, their captain is not for sale. The midlands club is ready to offer their captain an improved deal to stave off competitors.
It is also reported in the Metro that Villa hope Grealish will commit to a new £200,000-a-week at his boyhood club, with his future set to be decided in the coming weeks.
Pep Guardiola is not the only manager that is a fan of Grealish. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has also previously praised the playmaker, who has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs in the last couple of transfer windows.
Jack Grealish Transfer Could Result in Fame and Fortune at Manchester City
Manchester City seem to be the favourites to sign Grealish. According to The Athletic, Guardiola is hoping to rotate him regularly with Ilkay Gundogan. The lure of the move is undeniable. They are the reigning Premier League champions with a wealth of talent already in the squad.
Guardiola is also hoping to sign Spurs striker Harry Kane, even though Tottenham Hotspur insist they are not selling their talisman. The star-studded squad may be key in Grealish’s decision. As a starter at his current club Grealish would need to accept his playing time would be reduced at Manchester City. However, Grealish would be playing in one of the greatest teams in the world under one of the greatest managers in the world.
Speaking about Grealish last year, Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the English midfielder: “He’s a talented player who always creates something. (Grealish) is an exceptional player but too expensive for Manchester!”
The money may have become available this year though for Manchester City as Guardiola hunts down big signings to bolster his squad.
An Unbreakable Legacy at Aston Villa
Staying at Aston Villa would not be showing a lack of ambition, however. Manager Dean Smith is improving the team year on year and the Claret and Blues look good value in the league. The signing of Emiliano Buendia in a £33 million deal is also an indicator of ambition to improve. There are also reports that Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey is another transfer target for Villa. As Grealish has improved, so have Villa and he could see out the peak of his career, or an entire career, enjoying life at the club he loves.
Grealish is returning from a deserved break after a long season of football which saw him help England reach the Euro 2020 final against Italy. Since joining the club when he was six years old, Grealish has become the club’s biggest asset. Now, the midfielder is synonymous with the claret and blue shirt and is now at a career crossroads.
Joining City means much higher wages and a much more realistic chance of major trophies. Staying with Villa, however, means cementing a legacy with the club he holds dear. Becoming a one-club-man is something that comes naturally to some players and Grealish may yet stay with Villa.
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