Former striker Darren Bent has tipped Aston Villa star Jack Grealish to join either Manchester United or Manchester City when the transfer window reopens.
After leading his boyhood club to promotion last season, Grealish has taken the Premier League by storm on his second attempt and has made himself Villa's only hope of avoiding relegation back to the second tier, while also dragging them to a Carabao Cup final in the process.
The 24 year-old has nine goals and eight assists to his name this season, a great return considering he isn't in a team brimming with quality, and has unsurprisingly been linked with a big move away from Villa Park.
United have held preliminary discussions about Grealish and are looking to sign the playmaker to bring even more flair and cutting edge to their attacking ranks following the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January.
City have been repeatedly linked with a move for the Villa captain and Pep Guardiola has sung his praises in the past, though he believes he would be too expensive.
"He’s incredible. A top player. I’m happy he stayed in the Championship to defend his club when he could have gone," the Blues boss said.
"He’s a talented player who always creates something. [Grealish] is an exceptional player but too expensive for Manchester!"
Bent believes Grealish is destined for a big move once the transfer window is open again.
“I think Jack Grealish has got his sights set on maybe three teams," the former Villa striker told Football Insider .
“I would say probably Manchester United, Manchester City, and potentially maybe Spurs.
“I think they’re the three that are looking at him, and he’s eyeing them thinking ‘I’d like to go to one of them’.
“I’d probably put Man United at the very, very top of that. If that doesn’t happen and Villa go down, you never know, but for me, he’s got his eye on them.”
