“I was really close to joining Man Utd” – Man City star admits

Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish has revealed he was ‘really close’ to joining Manchester United from Aston Villa in the summer of 2020.

The England international was a long-time United target, but a deal failed to materialize after the club were put off by Villa’s high valuation of the player. The player signed a new deal with his boyhood club that included a £100m release clause which cross-town rivals Manchester City paid to sign the player last summer.

Ahead of Grealish returning to Villa Park for City’s game on Wednesday night, he revealed how close to moving to Old Trafford before his move to the Etihad Stadium.

“‘I was really close to going, but nothing happened in the end,” he told The Telegraph.

“We played United in a pre-season game on Saturday and I wasn’t supposed to play in a cup game at Burton.

“But after the United game I said to [Christian] Purslow and my agent ‘if I’m not leaving, I’ll sign my new contract.

“I went in with my dog on Tuesday morning, signed the deal, and played later that day. We all agreed on the clause and if any team hit that, it’s a win-win because it means I’ve had an unbelievable season and Villa got £100 million.”