Aston Villa Didn't Want To Sell Jack Grealish To Man City And 'Sounded Out' Two Massive Clubs

It has been reported that Villa attempted to delay the transfer by opening a dialogue with other clubs.

United had been linked with Grealish last summer and would've been willing to make a fresh move in 2022.

But the signing of Jadon Sancho means the Red Devils could only offer a swap deal rather than cash.

In the case of Madrid, the Spanish giants are in no financial position to make a move and again would've required some kind of swap.

Villa are said to be worried by City's dominance in the Premier League thanks to their massive transfer budget.

Grealish is also the fourth Villa star to have joined City in the last 12 years after Gareth Barry in 2009, James Milner in 2010 and Fabian Delph in 2015.

Villa were able to stall the transfer as City were unaware of the £100 million release clause in Grealish's contract, with the clause set to expire this weekend.

City take on Leicester in the Community Shield later this evening and manager Pep Guardiola has stressed Grealish isn't ready to start yet.

"He's not ready to start at all," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference.

"He was one week training alone, but he'll travel with us tomorrow to settle in the team and with meetings.

"He'll be on the bench. After, we will see what happens, but in the beginning? No way."

City are still hoping to sign Harry Kane before the transfer window slams shut.