GREALISH-CITY TRANSFER BRINGS BACK MEMORIES – BARRY

Ex-West Brom, Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has told Sky Sports that Jack Grealish and his transfer to Premier League champions Manchester City reminded himof the time he was the subject of an interest from the same team several years ago.

Just like Grealish, Gareth Barry came through the ranks at Aston Villa before he went on to play for the first team. Barry made 434 appearances for Villa in all competitions before he faced the transfer dilemma involving Manchester City. In the end, Gareth Barry opted to leave Aston Villa to move to Manchester City in 2009. While he was at the Etihad Stadium, the retired England international was able to win the Premier League title.

Grealish recently faced the same situation that Gareth Barry encountered some 12 years following the big money bid from Manchester City. The Citizens were able to match the £100m release clause in his contractat Villa Park. Barry and Grealish were both Villa skipper before their respective transfers to the Etihad Stadium. The two players held the Villa armband beforeleaving the club for Manchester City.

Manchester City signed Grealish in a £100m deal thus making him the most expensive player in the history of British football. He made his debut as a second half substitute during the Community Shield clash with FA Cup champions Leicester City. The Foxes saw offManchester City by a lone goal thanks to the strike from Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian came off the bench to score from the penalty spot and win the game for his team at the expense of his former team.

Grealish made his first start for Manchester City in their Premier League opener at Tottenham Hotspur for the new season. He could not stop his new team from suffering a 1-0 loss at the hands of Spurs. South Korean international Son Heung-Min scored the only goal of the game.