According to the Mirror, Tottenham will renew their interest in Jack Grealish and could make an official approach when the season comes to a close. Spurs came close to agreeing a £25m deal for the 23-year-old last summer, but Aston Villa rebuffed their interest and Grealish went on to sign a long-term contract.
The 23-year-old admitted disappointment that he was unable to move to Tottenham and said in a Telegraph interview at the start of the season that his England hopes would have been boosted had he joined Spurs. National team manager Gareth Southgate has caused a stir by echoing his comments six months later.
He told the Telegraph: “I’m not going to say we won’t pick a player from the Championship because that could happen but it’s far more difficult to assess his level. You see certain parts of the game but not others. Not the physicality at times, nor the tactical discipline.
“That’s another level in the Premier League: the speed, the pace. So, he’s a player we know all about, he’s a player we track. But that last bit of evidence that could give you confidence to pick him at the moment we won’t see.” Grealish has scored and created nine goals in 25 Championship appearances this season, making 54 chances and 44 successful dribbles.
Villa won’t be pleased that the England boss is telling Grealish to move to the Premier League for the sake of his international career, but the Midlands outfit can take some solace from the four-year deal he signed. Villa hold all the cards to a deal, so they won’t be under any pressure to sell.
If Dean Smith can lead the club to promotion this season, Grealish might be consider staying one more season.