Tim Sherwood has said that he “would like to see” Tottenham make another approach for Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish this summer.
The Englishman was the source of constant speculation last summer over a move to North London, but the transfer never materialised with Spurs instead ending the summer window without signing a player.
Speaking to Bwin News, however, Sherwood has backed Spurs to come back in for the 23-year-old and predicts that Grealish could become a Three Lions international under Mauricio Pochettino.
“I would like to see Tottenham sign Jack Grealish this summer,” the former Spurs boss said. “I think Grealish is worth £30-40 million that [Ryan] Sessegnon was rumoured to be worth last year.
“I’ve worked with Jack and I know how good he is and what he is capable of if he were to take a step up and play alongside great players at Tottenham.
“I think Grealish will be an England international the moment he pulls on a Tottenham shirt. Grealish is good enough to be in the England squad and playing for his country already, but it doesn’t seem to work like that playing in the Championship.
“If Eriksen were to leave this summer, I think Tottenham should consider looking at Grealish as his replacement. Eriksen is obviously ahead of him in his development so far, but Grealish shares that work ethic and desire to improve that I think he will reach Eriksen’s level.
“The only problem is that Tottenham will not stand a chance of signing Jack Grealish if Aston Villa get promoted to the Premier League.”
OPINION
There are always one or two transfer stories that dominate a whole window and last summer, this was one that remained afloat for a good amount of time. It is no secret that Spurs – although they are doing splendidly without him so far – need to replace Moussa Dembele in the summer. The North Londoners are into their first ever Champions League final, but if Spurs win it and Eriksen leaves for Real Madrid – as has been reported could happen – the wheels could well come off. Sherwood reckons that Grealish is tailor-made for Spurs and he is right; the midfielder has shone in the Championship in the last couple of seasons but now needs to take his game to the next level. If Eriksen does leave, that will be two key men Spurs will have lost in successive windows and Grealish could be the man to steady the ship in midfield for Mauricio Pochettino.