Manchester City recruits Jack Grealish from Aston Villa

Manchester City recruits Jack Grealish from Aston Villa on a Six Year Deal.

Manchester City signed English midfielder Jack Grealish from Aston Villa to a six-year contract, both Premier League clubs announced on Thursday.

City did not disclose the transfer fee, but British media reported that the deal was worth 100 million pounds ($ 139.27 million), making Grealish the most expensive player in Premier League history.

The 25-year-old had four years left on his contract with Villa after signing a new contract in September last year.

Grealish’s move to Premier League champions City breaks the previous record of French midfielder Paul Pogba, who rejoined Manchester United from Juventus in 2016 for a fee of £ 89.3 million.

“City is the best team in the country with a coach considered the best in the world. It is a dream come true to be part of this club,” Grealish said in a statement.

“Over the past 10 seasons, they have consistently won important trophies. The arrival of Pep (Guardiola) has taken them to the next level and the football that this team plays is the most exciting in Europe ”.

Grealish began his career at Villa’s academy before making his senior debut in 2014. The playmaker, who was awarded the captain’s armband in March 2019, played more than 200 games for the West Midlands club, scoring 32 goals.

Grealish represented Ireland at the youth level, but switched his allegiance to England in 2015, making his U21 debut a year later. He earned his senior cap in September 2020 and has since played 12 times for the Three Lions.

He was part of England’s campaign at Euro 2020, where coach Gareth Southgate’s team lost to Italy on a penalty shoot-out in the final.

Grealish’s signing will strengthen manager Pep Guardiola’s squad as the Spaniard seeks to retain his Premier League title and fight for Champions League glory.

British media said City also wants to sign Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane for a fee reportedly in excess of £ 100 million.

Manchester City will face FA Cup champions Leicester City in the Community Shield on Saturday. He begins his league title defense with a trip to Spurs on August 15.

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