Manchester City are expected to fight Manchester United for Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish next summer, according to reports in the English media.

Manager Pep Guardiola praised the 24-year-old in his pre-match press conference on Friday, stating he has been impressed by his quality:

“He’s an exceptional player, I didn’t know him before I came here, he was playing in the Championship. Honestly, an exceptional player.”

It is thought that City’s main priority in the summer will be to sign a centre-back, as well as a box to box midfielder, but Grealish is reportedly being seriously considered as a target.

The Englishman has been on Manchester United’s radar for a while, although the Red Devils have also been looking at Leicester’s James Maddison and Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen.

Grealish has been in excellent form this campaign, having bagged himself eight goals and laid on six assists in 22 appearances for Villa.

He is, though, captain of his hometown club and it may be difficult to prise him away from Villa Park unless his side are relegated this season.