Chelsea are reportedly attempting a late hijack to swoop Jack Grealish, valued at around £60 million by Aston Villa, from Manchester City’s clutches.
According to a report by Transfer Market Web, Manchester City could be looking over their shoulders as they attempt to sign Jack Grealish in the summer transfer window. The Premier League champions face late competition for the English international, valued at around £60 million by Aston Villa, from rivals Chelsea.
By now, it is hardly a secret that Jack Grealish has been courted by just about every ‘Big Six’ club in the Premier League. A talismanic figure for Aston Villa for several years now, the 25-year-old has also been promoted to the role of club captain in the past year or so while being the single biggest reason why the Midlands outfit are starting to establish themselves as top-flight residents.
To date, Grealish has made 213 appearances for the Villans, chipping in with 32 goals and 43 assists along the way. His remarkable progress has helped him establish himself as one of the best players on show in the Premier League while also carving a place in the English national squad. At the same time, clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea have been hot on his trails as well.
Manchester City have been heavily linked with Grealish all through the summer so far, with Pep Guardiola hell-bent on bringing the 25-year-old attacker to the Etihad. Indeed, at a time when Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva are being heavily linked with potential summer exits, Grealish is just the kind of player to bolster the Manchester City squad.
To that end, the Premier League champions have moved quickly in pursuit of the Aston Villa captain, having agreed personal terms with him. However, Manchester City are no longer the only big-name suitors in pursuit of the English international, with Chelsea making a late effort to snap him up instead.
The interest from Chelsea is understandable, seeing as there are widespread rumours suggesting that Hakim Ziyech could be offloaded after just one season at Stamford Bridge. As a result, the Blues would need a replacement, one Grealish can be and more.
Grealish will not come cheap, though, with Aston Villa demanding around £60 million in exchange for his services. However, despite placing a price tag on him, the Villans would prefer keeping hold of their club captain, as they look to create a formidable attacking unit, with the likes of Leon Bailey, Todd Cantwell and Julian Alvarez on their radar.
Having said that, it remains to be seen if Chelsea and Manchester City are ready to meet Villa’s £60 million valuation. If so, it will be interesting to see if Grealish’s time at Villa Park comes to an end in the summer transfer window.
