Pep Guardiola stance on Man City rivalling Man Utd for Jack Grealish transfer - 7M sport

Pep Guardiola stance on Man City rivalling Man Utd for Jack Grealish transfer



Posted Thursday, March 19, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Pep Guardiola stance on Man City rivalling Man Utd for Jack Grealish transfer
Man City news: Pep Guardiola stance on rivalling Man Utd for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish transfer (Image: GETTY Images)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has previously dropped a transfer hint about Aston Villa star Jack Grealish, and the manager's stance on rivalling Manchester United for the summer signing of the midfielder has now been revealed.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is a big admirer of Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, and he's previously declared that the midfielder is one of the best players in the Premier League. But, the Citizens are unlikely to challenge Manchester United for Grealish this summer, despite Guardiola's praise.

Grealish has been hotly tipped to leave Villa this summer, regardless of whether they manage to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to be the most likely to land the midfielder at the end of the season, although he reportedly faces competition from a number of different clubs.

City were among those that were linked with a move for the Villa star.

But, Guardiola is unlikely to try and sign Grealish this summer, as there's already too many players in City's midfield, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The Citizens' midfield is already dripping with quality, and a number of key players are struggling to make the starting XI.

Phil Foden starred for City during the Carabao Cup final against Villa, but even he has struggled for game time this season.

David Silva is leaving the Etihad Stadium at the end of this season, but there's still a plethora of options for Guardiola to choose from.

Ilkay Gündo?an, Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva and Foden are still viable options for the City boss.

While City understands that Grealish's quality is unquestionable, there's simply no space for the Villa star in Guardiola's squad.

United, meanwhile, are desperate to improve the overall quality of their midfield.

Question marks still remain over the future of Paul Pogba, while Andreas Pereira, Nemanja Matic, Fred and Jesse Lingard have all come under criticism at different [points this season.

Grealish would likely step straight into Solskjaer's starting line-up, which would also help the player's development for the future.

Guardiola has previously been full of praise for Grealish, who is expected to earn his first England call-up in Gareth Southgate's next Three Lions' squad.

At the end of October, the City boss was asked about his thoughts on Grealish.

"He’s incredible. A top player," said Guardiola. "I’m happy he stayed in the Championship to defend his club when he could have gone.

"He’s a talented player who always creates something. (Grealish) is an exceptional player, but too expensive for Manchester."

Just a few months later, Guardiola claimed that Grealish was an "exceptional" player.

"I didn't know him before I came here; he was playing in the Championship," he said. "Honestly, an exceptional player."

Then, ahead of City's Carabao Cup final against Villa last month, the Spaniard was once again asked about Grealish.

“They have one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish,” he said. “I’m a big fan of him.”



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