Manchester City have set the wheels in motion over a future move for Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish.
The 19-year-old was one of the stars of Tim Sherwood side's survival push and is set to play in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
City have known about Grealish's talents for a while, and were keen on adding the teenager to their academy ranks.
Manchester City have set the wheels in motion over a future move for Aston Villa starlet Jack Grealish (right)
Grealish was one of the stars of Tim Sherwood side's survival push and is set to play in the FA Cup final
But his breakthrough into Villa's senior side has seen City resurrect their interest.
Etihad Stadium first-team spies have kept close tabs on Grealish in recent weeks - a period in which the attacker has earned rave reviews.
A move for Grealish this summer is unlikely, but City will certainly keep a watchful eye on the Villa academy graduate this year before a potential swoop in 2016.
Villa are hoping the 19-year-old midfielder with stay with the club until at least next season
Villa are confident of keeping Grealish until at least next season, but know he will be the subject of unwanted attention should he maintain his excellent performance levels.
Indeed, City aren't the only club to have made checks on Grealish; Chelsea and Tottenham have also watched the youngster during the closing weeks of the season.
But City's brief to add more homegrown talent to their ranks is likely to result in the club solidifying their interest on a faster scale.
City have a firm interest in England internationals Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley and John Stones as they look to add more British talent to their ranks to comply with homegrown quota regulations.
