Pep Guardiola could scupper Man Utd transfer plan as Man City eye £100m Jack Grealish deal

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is targeting a move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, with the Independent reporting that Guardiola discussed the player's qualities with Kevin de Bruyne bet soccer tips .

It comes after Daily Star Sport exclusively revealed earlier this month that Grealish was City's top transfer target next summer, with the club also weighing up whether to use their buy-back clause on his Villa team-mate Douglas Luiz.

Grealish was heavily linked with City's rivals Manchester United last summer but the 25-year-old put pen to paper on a new five-year contract with Villa back in September.

However, with Guardiola given assurances about having the necessary funds for a rebuild, City could fork out the reported £100m it would take to persuade Villa to let their captain leave.

Guardiola has previously spoken about his admiration for Grealish, labelling him "an exceptional player" on several occasions.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is a transfer target for Manchester City

Speaking after City's 3-0 win over Villa last October, the Spaniard said: "He’s incredible. A top player. I’m happy he stayed in the Championship to defend his club when he could have gone.

"He’s a talented player who always creates something. [Grealish] is an exceptional player but too expensive for Manchester!"

He then reiterated his praise in January, adding: "He’s an exceptional player, I didn't know him before I came here, he was playing in the Championship. Honestly, an exceptional player."

Then, after it was confirmed that City would face Villa in the Carabao Cup final, Guardiola said: "They have one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish. I’m a big fan of him."

De Bruyne is also a big fan, saying: "I rate him very highly. He’s somebody I mentioned before, talking to the teammates at City, in a random conversation soccer handicap tip .

"In England they talked about creative problems in midfield, but he brings that to a team. He deserves a shot."