Man Utd transfer target Jack Grealish worried Aston Villa’s £80m demands will price him out of summer move
JACK GREALISH faces being priced out of a major summer move.
Aston Villa want a huge £80million for their star man after his goal at West Ham helped keep them in the Premier League.
But top clubs are unlikely to pay that for Grealish, 24, and Villa will play hardball.
They are desperate to keep hold of the midfield ace, who earns around £100,000 a week.
He came close to joining Tottenham in 2018 but Villa’s owners blocked the move.
Grealish has expressed a desire to play European football but his employers are confident he will pledge his long-term future to his boyhood team.
Manager Dean Smith took his Villa squad for celebratory drinks after the 1-1 draw at West Ham secured top-flight status.
Asked about Grealish on talkSPORT, Smith joked: “I gave him a few shots last night and got him to sign a new five-year contract.
“It’s not been done yet . . . it was written in sambuca, I’m not sure if it was mine or his!
“Jack’s a wonderful lad and I’ve got all the time in the world for him and I’m so pleased that he scored the goal that kept us in the Premier League.”
The Villa boss was so sozzled after the boozy celebration he slept over in his office.
And despite Roy Keane criticising the team’s jubilant celebrations in the London Stadium changing room, Smith said: “What time did I get to bed? I am not sure.
“But I am not great as it was a heavy night.
“I slept in my office at the training ground. I slipped off so the lads didn’t see me go.
“They were right to go and celebrate. Some had written us off and had us relegated ten games ago but what a turnaround.
“We have given the lads three weeks off and I will sit down with the chief executive, sporting director and the owners.
“We need to be smart in the market. There has been such a big turnaround of players.
“I am really proud of the players and how they adapted to the Premier League. It has taken time.
“I said to the players in the dressing room after the game, this feels better than getting promoted.”