After Villa’s successful Premier League survival on Sunday against West Ham (1-1), it has been surprisingly busy at Villa Park.
We’ve seen rumour about Dean Smith’s position as Head Coach and Jesus Garcia Pitarch’s time as Sporting Director has come to an abrupt end.
There is also an update on Jack Grealish’s future as well as emerging transfer news and rumour.
JACK GREALISH
The links surrounding Grealish have been persistent given Villa’s struggles in the league last season and his appeal as our marquee player.
Throughout the period after the Premier League’s restart, those rumours appeared to intensify with reports that our star player was house hunting in the Manchester area.
What remained unclear was whether it was the red or blue side of the city that held any firm interest in the 24 year old.
Manchester City rumours came in from the side after links to Old Trafford, but only after United had seen an upturn in fortunes as a result of a Fernandes inspired resurgence in the league.
However, things have changed even in the last few days since The Villa Underground last updated.
Firstly, against all of odds after Villa’s draw with Everton (1-1), the club avoided the drop. This changed the landscape significantly, with any interested parties likely eyeing Grealish as a cut price addition to their squad, with Villa’s negotiating position drastically weakened.
However, with survival, Villa are in the position not only to dictate a substantial transfer fee, but for the first time have an outside opportunity to negotiate with Jack to keep him at the club. The latter does feel remote, but stranger things have happened.
Secondly, Manchester United’s interest in Grealish has been widely cited as having cooled. This is due to the expectation of a fee in excess of £80 million and that they are in advanced discussions to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. Sancho is expected to command a transfer fee in excess of €100 million Euros.
Eberechi Eze
Eze is considered to be one of the most promising players in The Championship and a host of clubs, including Villa, have been linked to the 22 year old.
West Ham, Newcastle, Palace and newly promoted neighbours West Brom are other interested parties.
Eze is an attacking midfielder who scored 14 goals last season for QPR.
Perhaps even more alluring is that Eze is credited with 8 assists and played every single game.
Villa are crying out for an effective, consistent and dangerous midfielder, but will need to stump up a fee in the region of £20 million to prize Eze from Rangers.
EZE HIGHLIGHT REEL
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