Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is close to joining champions Manchester City for a five-year contract. Talks are in their final stages and, barring an unexpected hitch, the playmaker will move for about £100m.

Villa have tried hard in the pass days and weeks to keep their star man Grealish, by offering him an improved deal, but a transfer for a record fee between English clubs is poised to be completed. The 25-year-old English player has spent his whole career with his boyhood team.

Grealish had returned to training with Villa on Monday after his holidays in Mykonos and Dubrovnik. In respect of his boyhood club, he maintained a professional manner as the squad went through their paces. He held discussions with sporting director Johan Lange and was clear in taking the next step up in his career.

City, Villa and Grealish’s representatives are involved in the last stages of negotiations after Villa added to their attacking options by signing Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen for about £30m.

Villa want to build a side to challenge the top six in the Premier League as They look forward to adding Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, Todd Cantwell of Norwich City and Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe from the cash received from the Grealish deal.

Sportsmail revealed in March that City had become favourites to sign the exciting Villa midfielder and they have maintained a dogged pursuit, opening talks over their bid last week and offering his £100m clause last Friday.

Grealish will now get the chance to play on the Champions League stage and cement his place as one of the best midfielders in Europe.

City are also maintaining their pursuit of his England teammate Harry Kane from Tottenham though that deal will not be as straightforward despite Kane staying away from training this week.

It is a signing of huge intent from the Premier League champions as Pep Guardiola looks to retain the domestic title and go one further in the Champions League.