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Manchester City close to signing Jack Grealish

ByErnesto Hernandez|
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa is challenged by Rodri of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on January 20, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa is challenged by Rodri of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on January 20, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa attempts to break past Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on January 20, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa attempts to break past Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on January 20, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Manchester City could close the deal before the Community Shield

Manchester City is once again flexing their financial muscle as the side managed by Pep Guardiola are closing in on a blockbuster deal for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.

According to the Manchester Evening News, City is set to break the British transfer record in their attempt to sign the attacking midfielder. The club is ready to spend £100 million.

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The BBC report City made the bid last week and reaching an agreement was only a matter of time. The reported amount of money is simply too much for a club like Aston Villa to turn down. Once completed, it will break the previous record of £89 million Manchester United spent to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.

Villa may have seen the writing on the wall as they recently signed Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen, Emi Buendía from Norwich City and Ashley Young from Inter Milan.

Grealish will join an already stacked Manchester City attack. His arrival may mean the exit of other City players but that remains to be seen.

The 25-year-old has become somewhat of a cult hero in England following Euro 2020. He was a player many supporters wanted to see but was used rather sparingly by manager Gareth Southgate.

Joining the Premier League champions is going to shine a brighter spotlight on Grealish and could help him earn a starting spot in the national team assuming he performs well for City.

Manchester City may not be done either. Once the Grealish signing becomes official, they are likely to turn their attention back to another England international in the form of Tottenham’s Harry Kane.

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