With pre-existing transfer interest from both Manchester United and Manchester City, Villa can also expect that there will be parties on the periphery looking at Grealish.
Whilst it was widely reported previously that Grealish has been house-hunting in the Manchester area, Solskjaer’s side are known to be in advanced discussions with their primary €100m+ target Jadon Sancho.
Villa’s survival in the Premier League has been key to strengthening Christian Purslow’s negotiating position, not just to any third party admirer, but also with Grealish directly.
If Purslow and Villa’s owners can demonstrate sufficient intent in the transfer market, the biggest coup of all might be retaining our marquee player. We must of course do this without a Sporting Director, with Jesus Garcia Pitarch (“Suso”) having received his marching orders earlier this week.
The latest suitors, Arsenal, are reported to have “registered an interest” with Villa for Jack Grealish’s services, but have yet to follow this up with any official approach.
Arsenal currently fall into a category of club which would be a halfway house given Grealish’s ambitions. Whilst he might get game-time given The Gunners limited squad depth (in comparison to the top 4), it remains to be seen whether The Emirates based side can compete next season amongst the re-ordered domestic elite.
Arsenal are hampered also by finishing outside of the Champions League qualification places and will need to beat Chelsea in this weekend’s FA Cup Final in order to guarantee Europa League football next term.
Villa value Grealish at £80 million and are under no pressure to sell the midfielder for any less, mainly owing to wealthy owners Sawiris and Edens desire to build around him.
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