Guardiola prioritises playmaker signing over Man City deal for Harry Kane
Pep Guardiola reportedly feels that signing Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish is more important for Manchester City than a deal for Harry Kane this summer.
City have been linked with a move for both players during the next transfer window. However, ESPN claims that a source has told them that Guardiola favours a move for the England playmaker rather than the prolific Tottenham marksman.
Grealish looks to have pencilled himself into Gareth Southgate’s starting XI for England’s opening Euro 2020 clash against Croatia on Sunday.
The Villa man was the star of the show in the two 1-0 warm-up wins against Austria and Romania.
Guardiola has previously stated his admiration for Grealish, who Villa now value at £100million. And the report adds that City are confident of beating rivals Manchester United to his signature.
City have a major need for a new central striker, following the departure of record scorer Sergio Aguero. But it would appear that trying to land Kane is secondary to a deal for Grealish.
ESPN states that Guardiola feels it would be too good an opportunity to pass up. That is if Villa decide to cash in on their star man.
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Buendia signing gives City hope
The fact that Villa just splashed out a club-record £33m to sign Norwich midfielder Emiliano Buendia has also given City encouragement.
Grealish only signed a new five-year deal to stay at Villa Park in 2020. However, his stock is on the rise and his price could escalate if he has a successful Euros.
City already have a wealth of attacking talent to call on, with Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Ferran Torres all occupying the sort of positions where Grealish tends to thrive.
Despite that, Guardiola feels Grealish could give his side that extra quality to finally end their Champions League hoodoo. City lost out to Premier League rivals Chelsea in the final last month.
Finally, the report adds that Guardiola wants to pair Foden and Grealish together. However, it remains to be seen if Kane is still part of that equation.
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