OPINION
Tottenham are reportedly weighing up a hunt to sign Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish this summer – and he would be a perfect addition to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for the 2018/18 campaign.
The Daily Star has reported that Spurs and West Ham would be interested in signing the 22-year-old dazzler if they can whittle down Villa’s £40million valuation of their youth academy product, who has made shockwaves in the Championship this season with his fine performances.
Grealish’s displays even saw manager Steve Bruce liken him to former England and Tottenham favourite Paul Gasgcoigne in February, when the Aston Villa boss was left drooling over the midfielder’s form on his return from injury.
“For six or seven games when he came back he was easily the best player in the league and he has to stay there,” said Bruce, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail earlier this year.
“Once he gets fit again, can he stay there? That’s the challenge.
“He has a bit of a Gazza about him – not off the pitch!
“He is not that quick but he just gets away from people and seems to get even quicker when he is running with the ball.
“He has all the natural ingredients and I will do my best with him.”
Grealish made 31 appearances for Villa this season, scoring three goals and supplying six assists in the process.
His mazy runs and ability to draw fouls off the opponents saw him become a key player in Villa’s path to the play-off final, where despite their loss to Fulham, the 22-year-old ace managed to impress.
And now it seems that Tottenham would like to snap up the attacking midfielder as Pochettino eyes reinforcements for next season.
While £40million would be a huge amount to spend on a Championship player, Pochettino would be bagging himself someone who has Premier League experience, has tasted how it feels to play in the big games and is yet to reach his potential.
At some point in the future the Birmingham-born player will break into the England senior squad and would really fit into the system in North London.
Daniel Levy may not be willing to sanction a move because of Villa’s asking price, but if he can bring that down a bit, Grealish would be a top signing for the club this summer.