Tottenham will open the bidding for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish at £20million as they look to capitalise on his desire to leave the Championship club this summer, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper report that Spurs will still attempt to secure a cheap deal for the 22-year-old despite Villa’s takeover in recent days, with Grealish determining that he wants to leave the club after their play-off final loss.
The Mail claim that Villa’s new financial investment will allow them to demand around £40million for their midfield dynamo, but Tottenham hope Grealish’s desire to join them will help to push through a quick deal.
It is said that Tottenham’s negotiating position is getting weaker on a daily basis, with the spiralling costs of their new stadium putting Mauricio Pochettino under increasing pressure to deliver the Champions League again next season.
Good move for Tottenham Hotspur?
Spurs are yet to sign anyone this summer, and Grealish has long been touted to become their first signing of the window amid Villa’s financial difficulties.
While there have been doubts raised amongst some fans, many seem excited by the prospect of seeing Grealish at the club, and it is easy to see why.
The 22-year-old ran games for Villa on a consistent basis last season, and with the right tutelage could go on to become a fantastically exciting creative midfielder.
Pochettino looks to be the man who could make that happen, and a £20million deal would represent great value for the club as well.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Tottenham have long looked to be the likely destination for Grealish, with Spurs showing most interest from the off in the England youth international.
Since then other clubs have duly dropped out of the race to leave Spurs with a clear path to these ongoing negotiations, and a deal is looking increasingly likely.
The sticking point will obviously be price, and Villa’s takeover may make things tough, but Spurs should end up pushing this one through soon enough.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10