In a recent Q&A on the Manchester Evening News website, Simon Bajkowski, Manchester City writer for the publication, has been discussing reasons as to why City are not considered serious contenders for the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.
Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for Grealish over the course of the season, and it is easy to see why.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has thoroughly impressed throughout Aston Villa’s return to the top flight, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in his 26 Premier League appearances, while averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.33 in the league.
Villa’s captain has played an influential role in ensuring that his side remain in with a shot of Premier League survival – they currently occupy 19th place in the table, two points from safety with a game in hand – as well as leading the Villians on a widely unexpected League Cup run, defeating the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool and Leicester City, before eventually losing in a thrilling final against Pep Guardiola’s side.
As a result of the £34.2 million-rated midfielder’s performances, he has been heavily linked with a move away from the Birmingham-based club this summer, with both Manchester United and Manchester City being tipped as potential suitors.
With David Silva leaving the club this summer, City would have a position in their midfield free as of next season, something which has only added fuel to the fire of the rumours surrounding a summer move to City.
Indeed, Guardiola has previously stated his admiration for Grealish, claiming that he is “one of the best players in the league” (MEN via BBC 5 Live), while adding: “I’m a big fan of him.”
However, when asked about the rumour of Grealish’s potential move to City, Simon Bajkowski had this to say:
“The Aston Villa playmaker is someone that has really taken the City manager… but the City midfield is a tough nut to crack. Just ask Phil Foden, the best player on the pitch during the Carabao Cup final that Grealish also played in.”
He continued: “City have earmarked Foden to step up when David Silva leaves and he showed in that game what a special player he already is… the strength of City’s midfield helps to explain why they are not chasing him [Grealish].”
As such, it would appear that Bajkowski believes the primary reason as to why City are not serious contenders for Grealish’s signature is down to the fact that City have already lined up a replacement for the outgoing Silva in Foden.
Of course, this does not completely rule out the possibility of the Villa captain pulling on the sky blue of City next season, but at present, according to Bajkowski, the move would appear unlikely.