Manchester City and Aston Villa expect Jack Grealish to become British football’s record signing this week, 90min can confirm.
Earlier this week 90min revealed that talks were progressing between the two clubs, and they now have agreed terms on a deal worth £100m.
The previous record dates back to 2016 when Manchester United paid £89m to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford from Juventus, but the deal for Grealish will see City smash that figure - breaking their own transfer record by over £30m.
90min has been told by sources from both clubs that the deal is agreed ‘in principle’ and now it is up to Grealish to finalise the move. The Villans have given permission to his representatives to negotiate a contract and those talks are expected to begin in the coming days.
City believe that Grealish wants to move, and Villa too understand that the England star is ready to make the switch from Villa Park in order to further his career. The 25-year-old has four years left on his current deal - which he signed only in 2020 - but Villa's owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris were ready to up his terms to closer to £250,000-a-week to try and persuade him to stay.
However, sources close to both clubs have confirmed to 90min that they expect Grealish to complete his move and City are confident the deal will be deal by the Community Shield clash with Leicester City on 7 August.
It remains to be seen whether Grealish will be the only big money incoming at City, though it's widely acknowledged that Pep Guardiola is keen to source a top quality replacement for Sergio Aguero. Harry Kane is the club's primary target but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is doing everything in his power to prevent his talisman from leaving north London.
The Cityzens also hold a long standing interest in Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku, but deals for the trio are unlikely to be concluded.
Source: 90min
