According to the latest odds released by Sky Bet (via Manchester Evening News), Manchester City are leading the race for Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish in the summer. Pep Guardiola’s side are listed at 5/6 to acquire the services of the English talent during this summer transfer period (via Manchester Evening News).
Grealish’s Up And Down Season In English Football
Grealish has experienced a season of mixed emotions as he has put in a series of influential displays from the left side of Dean Smith’s attack but has missed a significant chunk of this campaign because of a shinbone injury. The 25-year-old has registered seven goals and 12 assists in 27 matches for the Villans this term across all fronts.
The England international has given a good account of himself by averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.9 shots, 3.1 key passes and 2.5 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season. He has even been tidy when interchanging possession from the left flank, as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 83.3% in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).
Grealish is still under contract at Villa Park until the summer of 2025, so Man City will have to arrange a big-money move if they are to stand a chance of convincing the Villans to sell him in this off-season. However, the lure of UEFA Champions League football at the Etihad Stadium might be too tempting for the Villa captain to turn down this summer.
What Will Grealish Add To Pep Guardiola’s Team?
Grealish is a deceptively quick attacker who has excellent ball control and dribbling ability to keep possession ticking in tight spaces down the left-wing. He has got the vision to create some decent chances for others around him and can strike the ball with power and precision from long range.
The five-time England international can score and create his fair share of goals in the attacking end of the field. Hence, we can expect him to add plenty of quality to Guardiola’s squad if Man City can manage to get a deal done for him at the end of this campaign.
At 25, Grealish is currently playing at his peak, so the Mancunian giants can make the most out of his talents if they can bring him to the northwest of England this summer. The English attacker would add a lot of goals and creativity to Guardiola’s frontline but will face competition from Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden for a regular starting place at the Etihad in the coming seasons.
