ASTON VILLA sought out interest in Jack Grealish from Manchester United and Real Madrid on the eve of his move to Manchester City.
Grealish, 25, moved to City after days of Villa stalling over the deal.
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Chief executive Christian Purslow eventually approved a £100million bid for the midfielder on Tuesday.
He had promised Grealish he would sanction the move a day prior, despite the fact Villa had no choice but to sell after City triggered his £100m release clause.
According to The Athletic, the clause was inserted in the contract Grealish signed last summer.
The report also states that Villa sounded out interest from Real and United because they preferred not to do business with City.
United were said to be interested but preferred to do a deal next summer after spending big on Jadon Sancho and Raphel Varane.
It is believed that the reason behind that is because Villa, like several other Premier League clubs, are worried that City’s success and financial power is ruining the league’s competitiveness.
But Grealish’s representatives made it clear that Grealish only wanted to move to City, where he will pair up with Pep Guardiola.
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The former Villa captain then said farewell to his team-mates on Wednesday before the necessary paperwork was completed to allow the move to be announced on Thursday.
The England star has signed a six-year deal worth £300,000 per week plus bonuses.
And Grealish will wear the number 10 shirt, just as he did at Villa, which City kept secret until he signed.
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