Jack Grealish: Man City close in on Aston Villa star after making an offer of up to £100m

Manchester City are gearing up to complete a statement deal worth £100million for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish over the coming days.

Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that City were ready to table a bid for the England international and in discussions over how to structure a deal.

The Premier League champions have made their move, one that is set to become the most expensive signing ever made by a British club. 

City have been confident that Grealish is ready to leave his boyhood club and he is set to earn more than £200,000 a week at the Etihad Stadium despite Villa’s attempts to keep their captain.

Departing Villa Park is seen as a wrench for the 25-year-old, although he has made no secret of a desire to compete in the Champions League. City were contacted but refused to comment.

Pep Guardiola, who also wants Harry Kane, is likely to allow at least one first-team player to depart over the coming weeks.

Bernardo Silva – who is now back at the City Football Academy after an extended holiday – is hopeful of a return to Iberia, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona interested.

While Villa hoped to keep Grealish, they have already moved to fill the creative void he may leave by signing Emi Buendia from Norwich for an initial £33m.

Another Norwich star, attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell, is also in their sights along with Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey.

Norwich are open to doing business for Cantwell at the right price, likely to be a fee in excess of £30m and similar to Buendia’s.

Villa have also had a £25m bid for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse rejected.