- Nabeel
Reports: Manchester City agree personal terms with Jack Grealish, but Villa renewal considered
Manchester City have reportedly agreed personal terms with Jack Grealish, but sources close to the Aston Villa captain are under the impression he'll sign a new deal at the club, according to a well-sourced journalist.
Sam Lee of The Athletic informs that there is confidence a deal can be wrapped up swiftly for Jack Grealish, with a growing number of people within the game and sources close to City's chiefs suggesting a deal is ready to be completed.
It's added that while Villa have never discussed the details of their skipper's contract, there's talk of a buyout clause and that City are prepared to trigger it.
Sources close to City's decision-makers indicate that personal terms have been agreed with the England international, but sources close to the player believe that he's ready to sign a new contract at his boyhood club - according to the report.
The Midlands club have reportedly been telling their new signings that they'd play with the talismanic figure this season - not replacing him - even if that was just for one more year.
Sam Lee writes that the player's future is now in the hands of his representatives with Grealish out of the country on holiday following his exploits with England at the European Championships.
It would appear Grealish has left all options on the table this summer, and he'll ultimately make a decision on where he wants to play his football going forward. City seem ready to land the player should he make it clear to his current employers that he won't be signing a new deal at the club and would like to move to the Premier League champions.
We'll have to see how this one plays out, but his attachment to Villa shouldn't be overlooked.
The Athletic's City correspondent has also revealed that senior figures at the club have discussed a big summer of transfers to the representatives of current City players, estimating the cost for Harry Kane and Grealish to be £175million to £215million.
However, Sam Lee makes clear that this will not be their net spend this summer, and were those fees to be spent, the expenditure would be balanced by sales, with the club prepared to let some big names leave should the right offers come in for them, and the income generated by CFG and academy players.
Last night, the well-informed Martin Blackburn of The Sun reported that Juventus appear ready to firm up their interest in Gabriel Jesus, with City wanting cash upfront for the Brazilian as they target Kane and Grealish.
However, the Bianconeri's finances are strained, which will represent a significant issue in their pursuit of the striker. In some sectors of the Italian press, a loan option with an obligation to buy has been mooted, and this may present an acceptable compromise for all parties.
City have not given up on signing Kane, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is just as determined to keep his star man - meaning City will need to be patient. However, an earlier report from The Athletic states that the club are expected to act more decisively this summer than in previous years - an example used being waiting until deadline day in 2017 to sign Alexis Sanchez in an attempt to lessen Arsenal's leverage.
Acting more decisively could mean eventually moving on from the England captain to try and secure backup targets, but for now, City are fully focused on the 27-year-old.
ELSEWHERE
Sunderland have announced the signing of City youngster Callum Doyle on a season-long loan.
It was previously reported that the North East club were in discussions over a two-year loan, but these plans have clearly not materialised, and the central defender has signed for one campaign.
Yesterday, City announced several new contracts within the academy, and the 17-year-old was amongst those who had signed their first professional contracts.
Speaking to the Sunderland website, Doyle said:
"I’m looking forward to working with Lee Johnson because he has worked with young players in the past and given them opportunities, so hopefully I can gain that opportunity and he can improve me as a player. I’m a big presence at the back and I like to bring the ball out, but I also love a duel. I’m over the moon to be here and I’m very excited to get started."
Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson said:
"We are grateful to Man City for believing in us as a club to be able to help develop somebody like Callum. He is a very talented player, but obviously, he is still very young, so the expectation of him in terms of the first team is that we are quietly confident he can have a big impact as time goes on. At 6’3”, he is very good technically, can carry the ball and has a lovely left foot, but of course, man-on-man combat is what he has to break through and be comfortable with. Overall, we are delighted to put him amongst our squad and believe that he can be a real positive for us."
Written by: @NA1907_
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