Jack Grealish remains keen on leaving Aston Villa for Tottenham Hotspur and will tell his boyhood club this week of his desire to depart the Championship side. The Daily Telegraph understand that despite Villa’s financial troubles being eased by the £30m takeover from an Egyptian-led consortium, the 22-year-old wants a fresh challenge. Grealish has a strong desire to play in the Champions League and to work under Mauricio Pochettino, who he believes could form him into an England prospect.
Utd transfer Villa are likely to demand as much as £30m – they had previously lowered their valuation amid their economic woes – and Spurs are expected to submit an offer this week.
Reports last week had suggested a move could be finalised this week but that timeline appears unrealistic given recent developments at the Midlands side. Pochettino does want the deal sorted before the summer transfer window closes on 9 August, the day before the new Premier League campaign begins.
Manager Steve Bruce, whose own future is uncertain, admits the club’s demands have changed since last week’s takeover meaning it could take a substantial bid to make the deal materialise. “I know for a fact from the owners [that] anybody wanting to buy Jack Grealish will not buy him on the cheap,” he said. “It’s only what somebody else is prepared to pay – what he’s worth. Until I have the conversation I can’t really answer the question. “[But] If we have to sell them then at least we get the right price for them and can move forward.
“If anybody is going to buy one of our players now they are going to have to pay a premium.” Tottenham have not made a single signing this summer and typically leave their business until the twilight of the summer. Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has also been heavily linked with a move to north London but so far the club’s business has been restricted to tying down Son Heung-Min and Erik Lamela to new contracts.
(metro)