Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly ready to test the waters over a possible move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in the winter window.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Aston Villa are bracing themselves for January offers for their captain Jack Grealish. Manchester United and Manchester City are both set to approach the Villans over the possibility of a move in the January transfer window, but Liverpool have distanced themselves from rumours linking them with the English international.
Jack Grealish was become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League following 18 months of sensational performances for Aston Villa. Now the club captain at Villa Park, the 25-year-old is the single-most influential figure for the Midlands club, who have been riding on his brilliance and are now hoping for a top half finish this term.
In 13 appearances across all competitions so far this season, Grealish has a solid tally of 6 goals and 7 assists. His brilliant performances for Aston Villa have also earned him a spot in the English national squad while invariably attracting some of the biggest English clubs as well, most notably Manchester United and Manchester City.
Manchester United were, in fact, heavily linked with a move for Grealish in the summer transfer window too. However, their unwillingness to meet his £80 million valuation meant that a possible deal never materialised. Grealish’s brilliant start to the 2020/21 campaign, though, has Manchester United remaining in the hunt to sign him.
Marcus Rashford has made the left wing berth his own and there is no displacing Bruno Fernandes centrally, but it appears as if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could do with an additional option in attack, considering Anthony Martial has blown hot and cold this term. This is where Grealish comes in and his goalscoring and creative threat makes him a viable target for Manchester United, who also face competition from Manchester City.
The interest from Manchester City makes a great deal of sense, considering the former Premier League champions have struggled for goals this term. While Kevin De Bruyne remains the brilliant orchestrator he has been in recent years, those in front of him have left a lot to be desired when in front of goal.
As a result, it is not hard to see why Manchester City might be after Grealish, who can essay various roles in Pep Guardiola’s setup. Meanwhile, Liverpool have also been backed to make a move for the English international, but the report suggests that the Reds have distanced themselves from any such suggestions.
Manchester United and Manchester City, though, are set to approach Aston Villa over the prospect of a January move, with City ready to meet his £100 million valuation. However, the Villans are not willing to part ways with their captain midway through a promising season.
As a result, it is likely that the battle between Manchester United and Manchester City will stretch till the summer transfer window. Having said that, the local rivals are ready to test the waters for a possible winter transfer and it remains to be seen if Aston Villa budge in January.
