Liverpool great trolls Man City for spending ludicrous fee on ‘hyped-up’ star

Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt Liverpool September 2009

Manchester City have been blasted by a Liverpool old boy for paying over the odds for Jack Grealish this summer, saying his £100m fee is ‘three times over his actual value’.

The England star made history over the summer by leaving Aston Villa for City in a British record £100m fee. It means Grealish is also sixth in the all-time list with the 26-year-old joining some illustrious names on that list.

Indeed, only Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Philippe Coutinho, Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann cost more.

And the player has made a decent enough start to life at the Etihad. In eight games for the club, Grealish has two goals and two assists – a goal involvement every other game.

Indeed, it very much appears the case that the best is yet to come for the midfielder.

However, on the day of the Liverpool v Manchester City clash at Anfield, Grealish has been branded massively over-hyped by former Reds star Dirk Kuyt.

“The hype and success of the Premier League has an effect on the players’ values,” Kuyt told the Sunday Mirror.

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola wants Christopher Nkunku

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola wants Christopher Nkunku

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is reportedly interested in RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku, with more news on Antony and Phil Foden.

“Just look at the price tags on them these days.

“Jack Grealish went for £100m to City. That’s three times the value of what he’s really worth.”

Kuyt though was keen to stress that Grealish is not the only example. He believes all Premier League stars are the victims of over-inflated transfer fees.


Barcelona’s struggles to appoint Xavi could open door to two other potential Koeman successors


Van der Vaart critical of Harry Maguire fee

Kuyt is not the only Dutchman who has criticised the spending of Premier League sides.

Indeed, former Tottenham favourite Rafael van der Vaart also called out Manchester United for spending too much on Harry Maguire.

He said the defender has cost United “an absolute fortune” and was not “playing to the level of his price tag”.

Van der Vaart admits, however, that United may have got themselves a bargain in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Van der Vaart said: “What he produced in the final minute of that game against Villarreal was not a coincidence. Not a matter of being lucky.

“When a 36-year-old player still has a body like Cristiano, you have to believe in him.”

READ MORESalah ‘unimpressed’, as Man City star plays role in worrying twist to Liverpool contract saga