Robbie Walls
Manchester United are reportedly still keen on signing Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, despite baulking at Villa’s asking price last summer.
The 25-year-old has been in sparkling form this season, with his impressive displays an integral part of Villa’s unlikely top-four charge, the England international having recorded five goals and six assists in the Premier League thus far.
Such eye-catching performances have clearly caught the attention of the ‘big six’, with Manchester United in particular heavily rumoured to be keen on making a move for the midfielder in the near future.
The Red Devils were interested in making a move last summer, yet the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic put an end to any move, with United unwilling to meet Villa’s £65m asking price after already committing to spend £40 million on Donny van de Beek.
While they opted not to do a deal on that occasion, the Mail report that Grealish remains a top target for United, although they would now likely have to fork out over £100m to take the player to Old Trafford.
Jack Grealish's goal at Old Trafford was a thing of beauty! 🤩#MUNAVL report: https://t.co/Zg41KL7Y8J
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/64efGIH9Nx— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 1, 2019
Despite intense speculation regarding his future over the summer, the flamboyant midfielder committed himself to his current club, after signing a new long-term deal at Villa Park after a move away failed to materialise.
With Dean Smith’s side set to face United on New Years Day, the rumours of Grealish’s potential departure have once again intensified, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer unsurprisingly being asked questions of the Villa playmaker ahead of the clash.
“He is a player of Aston Villa and England and has only improved,” he told his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say too much about other teams’ players but, of course, he’s a player we know we need to look out for.
“The goal he scored last season was a brilliant goal and we’ve faced him enough times to know it is going to be a difficult game.”
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