MadridVilla

Random thought, but imagine if Dr Tony was still in charge and tweeting his cryptic emoji transfer messages. Villatalk would be even more hysterical than it already is

For comparison João Felix went to Atletico for £113m, and Jack is better than him. They probably overpaid to replace Griezmann but the fact is we would have to overpay to replace Grealish as well.

Sam Lee update: We are a 'weird cult'. We are really through the looking glass

I read that as it won't take long to make a decision i.e. City/Villa will soon decide whether a deal will be done or not. So still in the balance really, odds probably in City's favour at the moment.

Did he really say that?? That's unbelievably ignorant if so. A bit of stick on Twitter over a hypothetical transfer is no comparison to racial abuse, obviously

The article is from 2019 - https://theathletic.com/1202147/2019/09/13/exclusive-jack-grealish-video-analysis-of-jack-grealish/ Seems like they've published an advert early that assumes Jack is off

Wow... That is a major **** up. I can only imagine they have that piece ready to go *if* he signs for City, and have published early. As good as their American sports reporting is, their PL stuff is so poor. You can bet if he stays they won't have a piece ready on his loyalty.

Not saying it will happen, but City may at least want to try just in case. If they get rebuffed then they would just pay the release clause anyway, they don’t lose anything from pissing about at all

If there is a buyout clause they may still want to bid below it to test Villa's resolve. Villa can of course reject it, but a bid of £90m they might accept if that's City's final offer and Jack wants out

Probably just being cautious, the club shop doesn't operate in a vacuum and they will know about the speculation. That doesn't mean they know he's going, but they probably just don't want to look stupid advertising a Grealish shirt when all over social media rumours are that he's leaving. The fact is that a deal hasn't been done yet and so they couldn't possibly know in the club shop as it hasn't even happened. And if a deal had been done and the club shop employees knew he was off, someone would be telling their mates and word would spread quickly from Villa sources he's gone/going imminently which isn't the case.

That could be the sticking point though, if City aren’t willing to pay £100m then I don’t see him going. They’ve never spent more than £65m on a player and it would smash the British transfer record, so £100m is no drop in the ocean for them. They’d have to be absolutely sure he’s their man and given his injury record I’m not sure they’d really be prepared to pay £100m, as it effectively writes off signing Kane as well.

I heard Sam Lee's source was his mate in Birmingham he sent to the club shop to see if they've taken down all the Grealish posters

Same thing happened a couple of seasons ago, I think it was the letter E that ran out that time as well. I got my shirt printed before the opening game at Spurs and had McGinn put on instead, who then promptly scored that day. Though like you say, if they didn't want to let on that he was going and they knew they were going to get some angry customers in a week or two, they may well just use that as an excuse. BUT my point is that it's happened before when he was literally captaining Villa the same day.

If Grealish goes I will still be proud to not be like them. Villa were the first footballing superpower and will always have some of the best footballing heritage of any club, whilst keeping the soul and spirit of football very much alive. A proper football club, if you like. Man City will continue ruining football, whilst their plastic fans rub their hands in glee. They are sellouts, happy to lap up success at any cost, as if success is what football is about. Football is, to me, more about the emotions, the drama and the story rather than the trophies. It's the journey to winning that makes it special - if you join a superclub who will probably win something every year, is that really as satisfying as winning something for the first time in years with your boyhood club? Is Jack really showing ambition if he leaves to join City, a club that has won countless trophies without him? Or would he be showing more ambition by staying at Villa and committing to the project we have to get us into the top 4? I would argue quite strongly for the latter. The decision is seemingly in his hands now and whatever he chooses is on him. I don't blame NSWE, Purslow, Smith or anyone at Villa - there is no doubt they will have done all they can do to convince him to stay. That said, I won't hate Grealish if he goes - I'll be disappointed with him but a lot of footballers in his position would move. Man City on the other hand can get in the sea, always buying our best players. You just have to laugh really. One day they'll get what they deserve.

I mean from his perspective, if the deal happens he can claim he’s one of the first to break the story. And if it doesn’t he can use the excuse that there was a u-turn. Maybe it will happen and maybe he’s right, but he’s leaving himself wiggle room if he’s jumping the gun on the negotiations. Also no other journalist is reporting the deal is that far along, indeed it was the same day that stories came out about Jack considering signing an extension at Villa. Someone somewhere is bluffing, it’s a case of who

Sam Lee suggesting fee agreed, personal terms accepted, now up to Jack to decide. BUT still won’t commit to saying the deal will get done, as Jack could u-turn and stay at Villa. Still sitting on the fence with it

Think this one will happen (not itk) and if so it will have to be a price similar to Buendía. I think another wide player is needed as Traore and El Ghazi are good but would benefit from stronger competition, plus Traore will presumably go to AFCON at some point this season. We could also move Jack into the 10 role if we wanted to. I would imagine El Ghazi may be moved on as well, perhaps next summer to try to cash in, so we may as well pounce while a good player is available now.

Have a feeling it’s the 30th, though can’t remember where I read that

Bang on the money. The modern Man City are simply a means of sportswashing to cover up for Saudi’s human rights abuses. Fans are drinking Kool-Aid and happy to lap up their dirty money to bring trophies to the club. City are no longer about football and have no soul, they should not be forgiven for conspiring to create the Super League breakaway. When the FFP stuff comes back, which it seems like it will, the punishment must be strong. The phrase financial doping would suggest trophies could be stripped from them. If Jack wants to sell his soul to win trophies that’s his decision, but personally I would lose a lot of respect for him. After everything he has said about how much Villa means, to leave to go to City would not sit well at all.

I imagine this is far from a done deal. That Reddit post says the deal ‘should’ be done in the week, but there’s no info on a fee, wages, contract length? I’d be surprised if he was that well connected and didn’t know those details. If a fee had been agreed we would be hearing from Villa sources but we’re not. And the contract hasn’t been signed as confirmed by Sam Lee. So at the very most, Jack’s agents have agreed terms in principle, which is only the first part of a deal, and will likely be fed back to Villa to inform their contract offer.

Sorry to hear that mate

It’d be strange to let him go over a player like Hourihane, and even stranger to let them both go. I’d rather keep him as he has a role in our midfield, but if we are planning on a new CDM then it makes total sense to cash in if the price is right.

You can’t post porn on here, there are kids watching

So here's the masterplan: Villa convince City there's a slim chance of signing Grealish if the price is right City sell players to generate funds for Grealish and weaken their squad Grealish signs a new deal with Villa, leaving City with a gaping hole in their squad Villa fly past City in the league and win the double, with Grealish knighted for services to leg muscles. NSWE are just playing chess.

The fact that his representatives have supposedly agreed personal terms whilst also talking to Villa about a new contract is interesting. Kind of suggests that we will match City’s offer in his new contract. Keeping Jack amid all this pressure would be the best business of the window no doubt.