Express & Star journalist Luke Hatfield has revealed Jack Grealish may be offered the chance to thrive in his preferred role if he remains at Aston Villa.
Grealish has been the subject of plenty of transfer speculation after another impressive season for his boyhood club.
Manchester City have been strongly linked with making a move and it has been reported, per The Athletic, that the Premier League champions are set to make a formal bid for the attacking midfielder.
Where will Jack Grealish be when the transfer window shuts?
Aston Villa
Manchester City
Former City striker Shaun Goater has even gone so far as to suggest Grealish’s switch has already been completed behind closed doors.
However, Grealish still has four years remaining on his Villa Park deal, which is worth £120,000-per-week.
As a result, Villa are in a good negotiating position and not in a position where they need to sell.
Grealish made 27 appearances last season, featuring predominantly on the left side of midfield. But Hatfield feels he could be tasked with a new role next term.
Speaking to TIF, Hatfield said: “Grealish, whenever he has spoken, always seems to say that he prefers to be in a central position but we have probably seen the best of him on the left-hand side.
“Villa have stuck him there and seen him really grow in that role. But Grealish does say that he prefers a central role and I think it’s something Villa are probably willing to explore if it keeps the player happy.”