‘We spent £40m on Jack Grealish…’ – Pep Guardiola reveals the truth behind Manchester City’s spending on Aston Villa captain

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Much has been made of Manchester City’s decision to trigger Jack Grealish’s £100m release clause – making him the most expensive player in British football.

However, as the Manchester City boss made clear during a press conference at noon on Friday, the money received was necessary before the club could put a record fee on the table for the now former Aston Villa star.

In order to raise money for Jack Grealish, and Harry Kane, another major summer transfer target for Manchester City, the club has sold out a yard to young and marginal players.

Read more: What does Jack Grealish’s shirt number mean for future transfers?

READ MORE: Grealish reveals his admiration for Kevin de Bruyne in a new interview

As of now, Al Ittihad has already parted ways with Jack Harrison to Leeds United for £13m, Lukas Nmica to Wolfsburg for £8.5m, and Ivan Ilic to Hellas Verona for £8m.

Furthermore, the big-money sale of Borussia Dortmund of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United netted the Blues another £11m as part of a solidarity push.

Pep Guardiola was quick to point out that these player sales were crucial to making the club’s pursuit of Jack Grealish financially feasible.

“We spent £40m on Jack Grealish. We paid £100m and brought in £60m,” Guardiola said in his press conference ahead of the FA Shield this weekend.

He continued: “It was a decision of the club, together with the manager. He is a player for the next five or six years. It happened because we can sell. Without £60m we couldn’t afford it, and we are more than happy to continue.”

The Manchester City boss has also hinted at some first-team players leaving the club this summer, which could raise more money, perhaps enough for the final piece of the Pep Guardiola-Harry Kane puzzle.

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