Liverpool and Tottenham target Jack Grealish ‘has to be sold’ admits Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce
Failure to return to Premier League has proved costly and Grealish is the most prized asset at Villa Park as they look to raise funds to ease financial troubles
ASTON VILLA will have to sell Jack Grealish, according to boss Steve Bruce.
Despite missing the first few months of the season, Grealish was outstanding for Villa and nearly steered them back to the Premier League.
But failure to return to the top flight has proven costly, and the 22-year-old is one the few at Villa Park who could command a big fee to help ease the club’s financial problems.
SunSport revealed last month Liverpool had joined Tottenham and Leicester in the race for the Brummie valued at £40million, who Bruce concedes has to be flogged this summer.
Bruce told : “There will be nobody feeling sorry for Aston Villa because financially we have got ourselves in a bit of a pickle, so yes we have got to be ready for that.
"I have enjoyed working with Jack, and Jack is the obvious one that clubs (are going to target) because he had a wonderful six months.
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"He reminded everybody as a 22-year-old what a very good player he is.
“On another day at Wembley he could have scored one of the great Wembley goals.
"He is a special talent, a real special talent, and yes, you don't want to lose him but the inevitable thing is we have to.
“We have to keep the club up and running and keep it in line with Financial Fair Play."
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is a huge fan of the attacking midfielder and has told club chief Daniel Levy to thrash out a deal.
But Levy could put the squeeze on Villa and wait until the end of the transfer window to secure a cut-price deal of around £20m.