Chelsea Favorites To Beat United, City In Race To Sign $142M Midfielder: Report

Chelsea are reportedly favorites to sign Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in the ongoing summer market.

Grealish has also been linked with a move to both the Manchester clubs -- United and City this summer. But Chelsea are ahead in the race to sign the English midfielder, reported Spanish media outlet Fichajes.

The 25-year-old midfielder had a great season with Aston Villa in 2020-21, scoring seven goals and 12 assists in a total of 27 appearances, across all tournaments. After closely escaping relegation that season, Grealish-led Aston Villa finished 11th in the 2020-21 Premier League table.

Champions League winner Chelsea are expected to go big in the underway summer transfer window as their manager Thomas Tuchel is looking to acquire at least two or three signings more.

"Two or three (signings) could be very, very good. It’s a constant thing to never deny change; that you always bring new energy, new guys who question the old beliefs, who challenge everybody in the training and in matches, so I think it’s a good thing. We don’t need another seven and another complete turnover because it’s also our job to keep on improving, because we have still a young squad and it’s not about stealing from them the chance to prove it again, that they are capable of growing and evolving," Tuchel was quoted by Sports Illustrated, as saying, in a recent interview.

Grealish signed a long-term deal last year that would see him at the Villa Park until 2025. While Aston Villa are not willing to let go of their skipper, the club has made it clear that it won't entertain any bids less than the British record fee of around $142 million. It has been reported that Manchester City are preparing to make Grealish English football’s first-ever £100 million ($142 million) player.

However, Grealish’s current market value is nearly half of that – around $74 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Grealish, who is believed to be one of the future stars of English soccer, is currently on international duty with the England national team at the ongoing European Championships. However, he did not get a chance in England’s 1-0 victory against Croatia in their opening Euros 2020 game.