Man City are yet to make any moves in this summer transfer window but that looks to change very soon. According to the latest reports, the English top-flight champions are on the verge of completing a deal for one of the Premier League's most talented and most highly-rated players. That man is none other than Jack Grealish.
The Aston Villa sensation has been linked with the Etihad Stadium for a few weeks now. Having led the Birmingham club back to the English top-flight, the Three Lions ace has gone from strength to strength, working his way into England's Euro 2020 squad—and most likely their Qatar 2022 roster—while attracting interest from the county's top teams.
According to the Daily Mail, the Citizens have already meet the player's $139M (£100M) release clause and could finalize this transfer as early as today (Wednesday, August 4). This will see the 25-year-old become the most expensive British player in football history, surpassing the record set by Gareth Bale in his $132M Real Madrid move. Furthermore, he will also become the most expensive Premier League signing, shattering the record set by Paul Pogba when he returned to Man United from Juventus for $116.4M.
British news outlet talkSPORT claim the player is already in Manchester to complete his move
BREAKING: Jack Grealish has arrived in Manchester to seal his move to Man City.
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 4, 2021
His £100m move will be completed today.
- talkSPORT sources understand.
Listen → https://t.co/VJgUHnqdM1 pic.twitter.com/sWQjxYyzRc
Having completed his holiday on Monday, the English exhibited his professionalism and reported for duty at Aston Villa despite eyeing a move. However, in a meeting with the club's sporting director Johan Lange, Grealish did not shy away from his desire for a fresh and bigger challenge.
At Man City, he will be all but destined to get his hands on the Premier League crown, be it in the upcoming season or the seasons after that. Furthermore, he will get to experience UEFA Champions League football and could play a key role in the Citizens' first ever title, having narrowly missed out on the Ol' Big Ears last term, losing 1-0 to Chelsea in the final.
Aston Villa have made two key signings in the form of Emi Buendia and—more recently—Leon Bailey, both of which could carry the load left by Grealish's departure. However, Dean Smith is keen on further acquisitions and could use that incoming $139M on the likes of Southampton's James Ward-Prowse, Man United's Axel Tuanzebe, Chelsea's Tammy Abraham, and Norwich City's Todd Cantwell.
