Spurs’ manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly hot on the heels of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, per ESPN and The Telegraph
Tottenham Hotspur are leading the chase for Jack Grealish according to ESPN.
Sources close to the London club state manager Mauricio Pochettino eyes Grealish as another piece to add to his impressive collection of young England talents. With central midfielder Mousa Dembele likely leaving the club and Harry Winks having an injury-riddled, disappointing season, reinforcements are needed to follow-up with another Top-4 finish.
This report from ESPN comes two days after The Telegraph wrote a similar story:
Tottenham to bid for Jack Grealish as Mauricio Pochettino identifies Aston Villa star as prime summer target | @Matt_Law_DT reports https://t.co/uJiHNDMOpy
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 7, 2018
Aston Villa’s official stance is that they will not sell their star for anything less than £40 million, and rightfully so. The club’s short-term cash flow problems will certainly test Dr. Tony Xia’s resolve, however, with any bid in excess of £20 million tantalizing.
Grealish has two years left on his deal with the claret and blues
The club’s official statement is that plans are already under way for another promotion challenge. How exactly that will go about is anyone’s guess. More veterans are certain to leave the club than be replaced, with a number of Academy graduates ready to step-up. Already, we’ve seen Pierluigi Gollini finalize a move to Atalanta for €4.2 million with Tommy Elphick soon to follow (Reading FC). Additionally, the five loaned players will return to their parent clubs, while Mark Bunn, Gabby Agbonlahor, and Alan Hutton are out of contract. All that + John Terry departing means there are signiciant holes that need filled – especially in defense, at goalkeeper, and along the right flank.
Villa Verdict:
It would be stunningly hilarious at all the people that claimed Jack Grealish isn’t good enough for England, if he walked straight into the Spurs XI for Mousa Dembele. By their logic he wasn’t good enough now at Villa, but somehow four months later, because he plays for a top-six side, he would be.
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I don’t have any insider knowledge to Aston Villa’s finances, but it might be wise for the club to hold-out for at least £35 million. Better yet, go into pre-season with the intent of competing and sell assets in January if need be. You can give this team one more ride at promotion to the Premier League with the safety net of jumping ship in January if things do not work out. There’s still so much to figure out this summer. UTV.