Mauricio Pochettino wants Jack Grealish signed from Aston Villa before Tottenham head off on their pre-season tour of USA on 22 July, according to a reliable journalist.
Football London’s Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold told the site’s live blog (Friday, 11.49am) that manager Pochettino is keen to push through the capture of the attacking midfielder in the next two weeks and wants him in a club training top in the States.
Gold reports Tottenham are in pole position to land the 22-year-old and he, in turn, is keen to play for the north London club.
Good move for Tottenham?
Grealish is not seen by all Spurs fans as the answer to their need for more attacking penetration. Many regard him as inconsistent and a player who has yet to live up to the hype of his undeniable talent. But anyone watching the Villa academy product in the final months of last season would have noted a different beast – more concentrated, switched on and equipped to use his talent for the greater good of the team. Grealish was outstanding in the last weeks of the Midlands giants’ nearly-but-not-quite promotion pursuit. He could be a superstar if he realises his potential at Spurs.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
If the two clubs can agree a fee, then, yes. Certainly, Villa are desperate to negotiate a mega fee for their prize asset as they look to rein in their financial problems and Spurs are eager to land a brilliant bargain. Given the player appears keen to make the move, expect him to leave and for talks over the terms to go on well into July, and possibly longer. Tottenham will probably sign him but are likely to have to go above £20million to do so.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10