Manchester City's hopes of signing Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish have seemingly been handed a huge boost, with Dean Smith's side reportedly looking to sign Norwich City winger Todd Cantwell as his replacement.

According to the Daily Mail, the Villans are weighing up a move for Cantwell, which could open the door for Grealish to make the switch to the Etihad, with Manchester City expected to bid for the England international.

City have regularly been linked with Grealish in recent months as he continues to dazzle for the Birmingham-based club in the top-flight.

So far this season, the 25-year-old has contributed six goals and 10 assists in 22 Premier League appearances, which has helped him earn a superb 7.73 average rating.

This ranks him ahead of every single Manchester City player this season, with only Harry Kane rated higher of those playing in the Premier League, which emphasises just how impressive Grealish has been for Villa.

The creative winger signed a new five-year deal with Smith's side ahead of the 2020/21 campaign and was reportedly valued at £100m by the Villa Park outfit, which made a City move for him seem unlikely.

However, the fact that they have begun to look for replacements for the captain suggests that he is keen to depart this summer, with City seemingly in pole position to sign him.

Earlier in the season, with the duo battling for a spot in Gareth Southgate's England side, Mason Mount was full of praise for Grealish, saying:

"I look at the way he's been playing this season, he's been unbelievable."

Whilst he won't come cheap, his performances with Villa this season have marked him out as one of the best players in the Premier League, so there is no doubt that he would be a superb addition to Guardiola's side.

If City don't pay the fee, then you feel like another top club could be easily convinced to shell out, so after the news that Villa have already begun looking for a replacement, City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain should do everything he can to bring him to the Etihad this summer.

And, in other news... Txiki should seal bargain City swoop for "top-quality" beast, Guardiola needs him