Manchester City have completed the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.
The £100 million deal to bring the England international to the Etihad Stadium represents a club-record fee paid by the Premier League champions, as well as a British transfer record.
The previous British record transfer belonged to Manchester United, who paid £89 million to bring Paul Pogba back to the club from Juventus in 2016. It is not known whether Pep Guardiola’s City side now aim to continue their interest in Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who has been linked with a move to the Etihad and is currently involved in a stand-off with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Manchester City Complete Jack Grealish Signing
HE’S HERE!
We are delighted to announce the signing of @JackGrealish on a six-year deal.
Welcome to City, Jack! 💙
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/5Y3gMREmKL
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 5, 2021
How This British Record Transfer Unfolded
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola earmarked Jack Grealish as someone who could further improve an already fearsome side that romped to the Premier League title last season and also made it to a first-ever Champions League final.
This is the first time a British club has ever paid upwards of £100 million for a single player and makes Grealish the ninth-most expensive footballer in the history of the game.
What is, therefore, truly remarkable about this deal is the speed with which it has been completed. Having been in talks with Aston Villa throughout the summer, Manchester City waited until the end of the European Championships before officially making their move, and saw their opening bid swiftly accepted by the Midlands club.
In simple terms, Aston Villa’s ownership saw Manchester City’s proposal as too good to turn down, despite the importance of Grealish to their playing squad.
Despite having only signed a new five-year contract with the club in September, Grealish leaves on amicable terms with his boyhood club, having reported back for pre-season training as planned following his involvement in Euro 2020.
Where Will Grealish Play Under Guardiola?
It cannot be denied that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has an embarrassment of riches to choose from at his disposal: Grealish has been added to a deep squad layered with talent across the board.
The England midfielder will not be able to simply walk into this City team, but the prospect of him playing alongside Kevin de Bruyne on the left-side of an attacking midfield is certainly frightening.
Fellow England international Raheem Sterling could be a direct competitor for Grealish over a place in the side. Likewise, Sterling could be utilised higher up the pitch as a false-nine in order to incorporate both men in the team. Such a tactic has been used regularly by Guardiola over the course of his managerial career, and would help this City team cover for the loss of Sergio Aguero if they are unable to sign another striker this summer.
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