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England manager Gareth Southgate finally succumbed to the pressure of an entire nation on Tuesday, and started Jack Grealish against the Czech Republic.
The Aston Villa man had been an unused substitute against Croatia, and was only used from the bench against Scotland, much to the frustration of many England fans who identified Grealish as a cure for the There Lions’ chronic lack of creativity.
The 25-year-old made an instant impact, too, setting up Raheem Sterling for the only goal of the game as England topped Group D.
Now, it appears that the England man is on the verge of completing a mega money move to another Premier League club.
According to a number of sources, including The Sun, Manchester City are edging closer to agreeing a £100 million deal for the tricky midfielder.
Villa remain adamant that they will not sell the player, however the report suggests that the player’s representatives are now, after weeks of talks, confident that he will be allowed to leave once the Euros are over.
Grealish still has four years left on his current contract with his boyhood club, meaning that City will have to pay a premium to persuade Villa to part ways with their captain.
The news comes just days after it was reported that City had lodged an equal bid for Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Grealish got an assist on his first start at Euro 2020, setting up possible future teammate Raheem Sterling.
City boss Pep Guardiola is determined to bolster his squad in a bid to retain the Premier League title and hopefully win the club’s first ever Champions League title, after the bitter disappointment of final defeat to Chelsea in May.
Harry Kane is seen as the club’s prime target to replace Barcelona-bound Sergio Aguero, while Bernardo Silva could also be on his way out of the Etihad.
Grealish has reportedly cited Champions League football as a prime reason for wanting to leave.
City are happy to smash the British transfer record currently held by Manchester United for the £89 million they paid to resign Paul Pogba in 2016.
The Citizens have delayed making an official offer while the player is on England duty, but it is believed that a deal could be completed soon after he returns.
Villa have already signed Norwich City’s Emiliano Buendia, a player who many fans perceived to be a replacement for the outgoing Grealish.
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