Man Utd transfer target Jack Grealish will ‘100 per cent’ quit Aston Villa if they’re relegated, says Paul Merson
MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a transfer boost as Paul Merson reckons Jack Grealish will “100 per cent” quit Aston Villa if they are relegated this season. The 24-year-old has long been at the top of Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s summer wishlist, with Red Devils scouts tracking the Brummie ace all season. Aston […]
MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a transfer boost as Paul Merson reckons Jack Grealish will “100 per cent” quit Aston Villa if they are relegated this season.
The 24-year-old has long been at the top of Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s summer wishlist, with Red Devils scouts tracking the Brummie ace all season.
Aston Villa have previously been expected to demand around £70million for their golden boy.
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But SunSport revealed on Thursday that relegation could see this asking price drop to around £50m.
The England star has three years left on his £60,000-a-week contract and doesn’t have a buy-out clause.
Grealish has worn the captain’s armband for his boyhood club since last year but Merson has urged the Villa ace to fly the nest if Dean Smith’s struggling side – who sit in 19th – are unable to avoid the drop.
Merson spent four years with the Birmingham side and told Sky Sports: “I would say 100 per cent. If Villa go down then I think they will get rid of Jack and he will be sold,
“He’s a Villa man through and through, he loves Aston Villa, but he will have to move on, there is no doubt about that if he wants to better himself.
“It’s horrible saying that, better yourself, because it’s a great club, but he will have to play in the Premier League.
“In this day and age, you play in the Premier League if you want to play for England. It’s very rare that you’re not playing in the Premier League or a top European league and you’re playing for England. For me, he would have to be sold.”
Grealish was fined £150,000 by Villa in March and forced to apologise after attending a friend’s late-night house party, crashing his motor, and breaking coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
But Solskjaer has overlooked the off-field antics and has been impressed with the Englishman’s leadership skills since he was given the armband at Villa Park.
The Norwegian boss is keen to inject more creativity into his midfield, as he looks for a long-term partner to play alongside Bruno Fernandes.
Solskjaer was said to have urged executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to enquire about his availability last summer and in January.
This time round Grealish’s cut price following the coronavirus pandemic would fit the bill for Woodward who recently cast doubt over mega-bucks summer signings.
The Villa man has scored seven and assisted six in 26 league appearances – his best season to date.
Solskjaer has made Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho a top choice when the transfer window opens again with the Englishman reportedly agreeing almost every detail of a move to United.
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But the Red Devils are said to be determined not to break the bank.
The Old Trafford boss had also been keeping close tabs on Leicester midfielder, James Madison.
But SunSport revealed the Foxes star remains on course to sign a bumper £100,000-a-week five-year-deal to extend his stay at the King Power, once the Coronavirus crisis is over.