Kevin de Bruyne has played a key role in Manchester City's British record deal for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.

Grealish is joining City in a £100m deal today.

The Independent says in November 2020, a Nation's League clash between England and Belgium set up the meeting that would change Grealish's future.

During that 2-0 Belgium win, City's Kevin De Bruyne was so impressed by what he saw from Grealish that he started excitedly texting Pep Guardiola.

The Blues' maestro insisted that the club should bring in the playmaker, giving off the air of someone texting a friend about a crush. Before long Guardiola was sold on the idea and the wheels for a potential deal were set in motion.

The admiration appears to be mutual. Speaking to Villa TV last season, Grealish said: "I'm half starstruck when I play against Kevin De Bruyne because he's my favourite player ever. I think he's unbelievable, I think he's easily the best player in the Premier League at the moment."

It has been reported that Grealish and De Bruyne have kept in touch ever since, striking up a friendship that can only be good for on-the-pitch chemistry.