With rumors elevating that Manchester City could truly smash their transfer record in order to bring in England winger Jack Grealish for £100 million, City may have made their first big move of the summer.
With local rivals Manchester United sealing massive transfer deals for fellow Three Lions star Jadon Sancho as well as World Cup-winning defender Raphaël Varane, the Red Devils look set to challenge their local rivals as City aim to defend their Premier League crown in 2021-22. If it is completed, a Grealish transfer an unprecedented move that is outside of the typical City model, which focuses on lesser-known but widely regarded young talent and developing them into stars.
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Rather than signing one big-name player for £100 million, City usually buy multiple in the £50-65 million range. Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola is a known admirer of Grealish’s undeniable footballing ability, and he would add something to this City side that could prove to be the edge in a potential title race against United.
Grealish’s positional versatility, dribbling, passing, and shooting ability have made him one of the Premier League’s very best to not already play for one of the league’s top six clubs. He would be able to play a number of positions in this City side and link with fellow national teammates Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden. Although his arrival still does not solve City’s lingering striker question, it could perhaps represent Guardiola going all-in on his title-winning approach from last season, which succeeded without a center-forward for much of last year.
The comparable United signing would be Sancho, who starred in the Bundesliga next to City and Chelsea target Erling Haaland. If all goes to plan, Varane would have a similar impact to that of Rúben Dias while Sancho would finally give United the right-side attacking presence they have lacked in recent years to elevate them to the status of title contenders. However, although United have made two impressive signings, City were starting from a much stronger position with their squad having won three titles in the last four years. Therefore, adding Grealish to this team should add enough dynamism to stave off their challengers to the league title.
Aston Villa have offered Grealish, their club captain, a massive contract offer to stay, and the decision is not final. Nevertheless, his talent would undoubtedly add to City’s project and should do enough to keep them above their rivals. Either way, it will assuredly be an exciting story to follow throughout the summer as the Premier League’s return draws even closer.