Dean Smith has given his views on the worth of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish to his side, with speculation mounting over the 23-year-old’s future heading into the summer transfer window.
Grealish has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the course of this season, with the Mirror reporting that he could potentially be sold this summer if Villa do not earn promotion through the Championship play-offs this season.
The 23-year-old, who has been instrumental in Villa’s excellent end of season run that saw them win a club record 10 successive matches, has a reported buy-out clause of £60million in the contract he signed last September.
In a report from the Express and Star, Smith gave his thoughts on Grealish’s buy-out clause, and joked about what he would value him at if he had been responsible for negotiating his contract, saying: “I can’t say anything on it. But if it was me, it would probably be more.”
OPINION
Smith’s comments outline the true worth of Jack Grealish to his Aston Villa side, with the academy graduate playing a crucial role in Villa’s remarkable end of season form that has seen qualify for the play-offs. Grealish was ruled out for three months with a shin injury, but made a return in Villa’s 4-0 win against Derby at the beginning of March, which was the first of Smith’s sides club record 10 match winning run. Since his return to the side Grealish has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Championship, and appears to be more than capable of playing in the Premier League next season. Villa will hope that they are able to win promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs, with Smith’s side facing West Bromwich Albion in the play-off semi-finals, but if they fail to secure promotion Grealish may need to depart the club to get back to playing in the top flight. Were Villa to sell Grealish they would receive a potentially hefty transfer fee that would help the club recruit more players and have another go at getting promotion next season, should they miss out this. Although he would be a huge loss, selling Grealish in the summer if Villa are still in the Championship might be good for both parties in the long run.