Man City receive positive Jack Grealish update as Aston Villa prepare transfer plans

Jack Grealish: Stats for Man City-linked midfielder

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Manchester City have received a boost in their pursuit of Jack Grealish, with Aston Villa reportedly making plans for life without the England international. Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey is believed to be the subject of interest from the West Midlands side, granting fresh hope for City that Villa are prepared to let their talisman leave before the start of next season.

Villa already raised eyebrows when they signed Emi Buendia earlier in the summer, for a fee which could rise to £38million.

Not content with one of the best players in the Championship last term, Dean Smith also tested Arsenal’s resolve by submitting multiple bids for Emile Smith-Rowe.

Everything seemed to fall quiet at Villa Park when Arsenal refused to play ball, although things have now sparked back into life after links to Bailey were reported by Sky Sports.

The Jamaican international put together the best goal-scoring season of his career last time out, netting 15 times in all competitions.

JUST IN: Chelsea face transfer conundrum as Timo Werner objects to Erling Haaland move

The 23-year-old is an important member of the Leverkusen squad, and with Demarai Gray also looking likely to leave for Everton, letting Bailey leave could leave the club high and dry in the wingers department.

However, having been the subject of links from top clubs around the continent for years, this could finally be the time that Leverkusen let him fly the nest with two years left on his current deal.

While squad depth has been an important consideration for Villa this summer, chasing two top players in attacking areas could indicate preparations for life after Grealish.

The 25-year-old was paramount to the club’s success last campaign, earning 1.8 points-per-game when he was in the side, enough for them to finish fourth if he had played in every match.

DON’T MISS
Chelsea handed Rice transfer boost as West Ham star refuses
Arteta risks repeating Wenger’s Arsenal transfer mistake with Abraham
Chelsea have 21 players who may cause Granovskaia transfer headache

As a boyhood Villan, Grealish would be unlikely to take the decision to leave Villa Park lightly, but with Man City supposedly interested, the prospect of building a formidable silverware collection could push him over the edge.

Pep Guardiola is believed to be a fan of the talented attacker, although the £100million price-tag pinned to him by Villa has managed to ward off a concrete move so far.

Grealish is still on his post-season break, recovering from what was a hectic campaign, capped off by penalty shootout heartbreak in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

As with many high-profile internationals linked with moves over the past few weeks, their return to pre-season is predicted to cue a hive of activity when it comes to deciding their future.

Do you want an exclusive pre-season preview for YOUR club – both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy.

Although Grealish has not said anything which explicitly hints at where his future lies, Villa’s activity in the transfer market could tell its own story.

In recruiting Bailey, Villa would have their hands on an exciting winger with the best years of his career ahead of him.

However, there will undoubtedly be a contingent of the Villa Park faithful who will fear it is a sign of a big departure later in the summer.

Source: Read Full Article