Twitter reacts as Jack Grealish finally secures his move to Manchester City
By Ross Jackson
![Jack Grealish has moved to City Jack Grealish has moved to City](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/West-Ham-United-v-Aston-Villa---Premier-League-0648b2b585b58951fd1e2e9593f43075.jpg)
Jack Grealish's move to Manchester City was supposed to be massive news that we wouldn't stop talking about for weeks - then Lionel Messi told us all he was leaving Barcelona and everyone just forgot about poor old Jack.
The boyhood Villa fan has decided the time is finally right to leave the club he's represented for 19 years, joining Pep Guardiola's side for a fee of £100m.
Thanks for the memories, @JackGrealish. pic.twitter.com/yQ1RYPmiU3
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 5, 2021
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) August 5, 2021
It's official - Jack Grealish is a Manchester City player! ? pic.twitter.com/Usb0Zp9Px1
— 90min (@90min_Football) August 5, 2021
Of course, not only was Grealish's move to City overshadowed by news of Messi's Barcelona departure, it also begged the question would Guardiola regret the arrival of the former Villa man now he could potentially sign Messi for free?
Pep in Grealish’ medical now Messi’s available. pic.twitter.com/sPrcW8GtlA
— Evan (@EvanMcFarlane) August 5, 2021
Pep Guardiola running to Sheikh Mansour asking him to cancel the Jack Grealish deal and bring in Lionel Messi instead pic.twitter.com/926zAl9PJZ
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) August 5, 2021
Grealish turning up tommorow at Man City after the Messi news pic.twitter.com/FfZVstmwER
— Abz ✍? (@UziTwoTech) August 5, 2021
Still, Grealish may not be at Messi's level just yet, but that doesn't mean he's not a brilliant player with his best footballing years ahead of him. Guardiola's got to be happy with his signing, right? Right? Right?
Pep after spending 100M on Grealish when he could’ve got Messi for free. pic.twitter.com/JEzzmqFeOt
— Collins ✌ (@_collinsville) August 5, 2021
Pep Guardiola realising he’s just spent £100m on Grealish when Messi is now going for free…. pic.twitter.com/hKlyTFlRaR
— Karla (@KARLA____WIN) August 5, 2021
Despite seemingly ruling himself out of a move for Messi, there's every chance that Guardiola could yet decide to pursue a deal for the Argentina international. Just imagine Messi and Grealish in the same side...
“Other big clubs can’t let this happen. Manchester City can’t get Grealish, Kane and Messi? It’d be unfair!”
— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) August 5, 2021
City: pic.twitter.com/HKth7n3nwz
Jack Grealish when Messi doesn’t pass the ball pic.twitter.com/dithyiV79h
— Geo (@CFCGeoo) August 5, 2021
City's £100m capture of Grealish means they're now the proud owners of the most expensive Premier League player of all time as well as the most expensive English player of all time.
Despite claiming earlier in the window that he couldn't afford to splash out on a big-money centre-forward, Guardiola doesn't look like he's about to stop spending any time soon, and it's all getting a bit unfair really.
Manchester City's purchase of Jack Grealish for £100m from Aston Villa sets a new transfer record for a fee paid by a British football club.
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) August 5, 2021
The median fee (look it up) for City for the members of their first-team squad is now £41m.
Financial Fair Play checking Man City’s new signings. pic.twitter.com/qhcpMLvDxJ
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) August 5, 2021
Pep Guardiola is closing in on the £1 billion mark... ??
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 5, 2021
The Spaniard has now spent £918 million as Man City manager following the addition of Jack Grealish! ? pic.twitter.com/suG2jG9P6u
Pep Guardiola when Aguero was leaving City knowing the owners would splash £250m on Kane and Grealish. pic.twitter.com/DIDZAvNWTx
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 1, 2021
Pep Guardiola in April, explaining how City are struggling financially and will look to promote from the Academy. pic.twitter.com/Y7vAa6mdbO
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) July 30, 2021
On the other side of the deal of course is Aston Villa. Having lined their pockets with a not insignificant sum, the Villans have already been preparing for life without Grealish having made three quality attacking additions to their squad.
Usually when a team's best player leaves the club goes into absolute meltdown. but Villa actually seem to be in a pretty good place.
Aston Villa may have sold Grealish but they have used his money well already. That means he's gone but he has given them a solid platform to become even better. Aston Villa will grow the same way Leicester did. Good market is key, and they know how to use it.
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 5, 2021
Aston Villa are making some serious signing and could have a better season than last year regardless of whether Grealish staying or going.
— fabrice muamba (@fmuamba6) August 4, 2021
What do you think?
Getting Buendia done early was even part of the Grealish leaving mindset. This has been on the cards for a long time #AVFC
— Purslows Pursestrings (@AVFCTranstweet) August 5, 2021
Well, they might have made some decent signings but it doesn't stop the pain of losing one of your own.
Villa fans getting home just in time to see Grealish to City announced: pic.twitter.com/5EeU5bigvO
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 5, 2021