Why former England forward John Barnes believes Jack Grealish's record-breaking move to Manchester City won’t work

The seemingly never-ending transfer saga has finally reached its conclusion.

Jack Grealish has left boyhood club Aston Villa and completed his £100 million move to Manchester City in a switch that has divided opinion.

Plenty have shared their judgement on the matter. Some believe that it was in his best interest to make a move to Manchester whereas others were firmly of the mindset that he should stay and see through the exciting project that has begun to develop in the west midlands.

Former Liverpool and England striker John Barnes has had his say and he believes a move to Manchester could hinder both Grealish and City.

“At any football team, balance is the most important thing. Is Grealish going to take over from Kevin De Bruyne as the main playmaker? No he’s not,” he explained.

“So if he goes there - what is he going to do?

“That’s why he wasn’t playing for England, because England have got other playmakers and number tens.

“City having Grealish will make the squad stronger, but they can’t play De Bruyne, Grealish, Sterling, Foden and Kane - so the team won’t necessarily be stronger.

“Kane will make more sense with Auero not being there.

“He will be fantastic for them as a number nine, but I don’t think that both Grealish and Kane will make City stronger.”

Whether or not Barnes is correct in his opinion, Villa fans will be keeping a close eye from the outset to see how their former captain fares in Manchester - with plenty hoping Barnes is right.