ESPN journalist Mark Ogden believes Pep Guardiola may have identified Jack Grealish as the final piece of his Champions League puzzle as he reportedly plots a move for the Aston Villa captain this summer.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Odgen waxed lyrical about Grealish as he revealed that the Man City boss thinks Grealish is just as important to City as Harry Kane could be if he was to be brought in this summer.
He went on to add that with the recent announcement of Emiliano Buendia’s move to Villa Park edging closer, it could be the signal that Grealish is set to leave his boyhood club as they look to get a replacement in before he leaves.
Ogden provided this update on Grealish’s future:
“I’ve been told that Pep thinks he is a crucial addition to the team. You think, obviously, they want Harry Kane as well – a striker to replace Sergio Aguero – but in Pep Guardiola’s eyes, Jack Grealish is just as important, just as big a talent and he thinks that he can make City that much better, that may be able to win the Champions League next season.
“I think he believes that despite City’s vast array of attacking options in terms of attacking midfielders, that Jack Grealish can make them better.
“So, City will go for Jack Grealish, and I think the fact Villa have signed Emi Buendia is a suggestion that Villa are preparing the way for life after Jack Grealish.”
TIF Thoughts on Grealish potentially leaving Aston Villa…
With Villa edging ever closer to the signing of Buendia and with their expected bid for James Ward-Prowse, it could signal that they’re trying to get their business done before Grealish is sold – in order to keep the cost down.
If City did meet the asking price of Grealish it could be a good deal for all parties; Villa would be able to cash in on one of their greatest home-grown products, Grealish would be able to play at the level his talent perhaps deserves, and Man City would get an excellent addition to their side.
Whatever happens this summer, it could be a rumour that dominates until the end of the summer window, as Grealish continues to put in fantastic performances on the international stage.