Manchester City Agree Personal Terms With Midfielder Who Could Become A Record $142M Signing

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has reportedly agreed on personal terms with Manchester City in the 2021 summer market.

Grealish, who is contracted with his boyhood club until 2025, has been offered a huge contract by Manchester City, unnamed sources informed soccer website Football Insider. However, International Business Times could not verify the report independently.

Manchester City are planning to offload Bernado Silva to make way for their top targets, Grealish and Harry Kane, according to Sports lustrated. City boss Pep Guardiola believes the addition of Kane and Grealish will further boost their chance to finally win a Champions League title. The Premier League winners lost to Chelsea in the European final last season.

It is understood that Aston Villa, which finished 11th in the league table last campaign, will do everything to retain their skipper and the West Midlands club are planning to double Grealish's wage.

However, Grealish, who was one of England's stand-out players in the Euros 2020 by making two assists in five matches, wants to play regular Champions League soccer and develop under the management of a high-profile boss such as Guardiola.

It was previously reported that Aston Villa will not accept any bids less than the British record fee of around $142 million. And Manchester City are willing to match those hefty demands as Guardiola has been a long-term admirer of Grealish.

The 25-year-old has also been linked with the Champions League winners Chelsea. It was earlier reported that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had promised financial backing to the club if they can reach a deal for Grealish.

When it comes to splurging money during the transfer windows, Chelsea have never hesitated to swell their bank balance. Last summer, Chelsea were the biggest spenders, with expensive signings including Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy. The big-money signings eventually paid off as Chelsea clinched their second Champions League title.

Having started at Highgate United Youth, Grealish, who had always been an Aston Villa fan, joined the club as a 6-year-old. He went on to make his first-team debut with the Villa Park side during the 2013-14 season. Grealish has been a regular member of the Aston Villa side for seven straight seasons now, having scored 32 goals and 43 assists in 213 matches for the club, across all competitions.