Aston Villa are reportedly intent on keeping Jack Grealish at the club this summer despite an expected bid from Man City next month.
Speculation over the 25-year-old’s future has rumbled on in recent weeks but the situation appeared to ramp up on Friday as rumours linked him with a move to the Etihad.
READ MORE: Five reasons why Jack Grealish isn’t leaving Aston Villa this summer
As noted by The Telegraph, the reigning Premier League champions are said to be preparing a £100m bid for the Villa playmaker to try and prise him away following the conclusion of the European Championship, and so naturally that was a cause for concern over a potential exit ahead of the new campaign.
However, in contrast to earlier reports which suggested a deal was close, the Telegraph emphasise that Villa are in talks with Grealish over a new, improved deal and are intent on keeping him beyond this summer.
It’s added that the club’s owners are ambitious and serious about continued progression moving forward, as seen over the past three years from our promotion from the Championship, to staying up and then finishing 11th in the Premier League last season.
In order to match Grealish’s ambition moving forward though, next season could prove to be pivotal as we aim to break into the top six and qualify for Europe.
It remains to be seen whether or not he’ll be part of that push, but it certainly sounds as though Villa will do their best to keep him and fend off City in the coming weeks as Grealish remains a central figure in our plans moving forward.
Losing him would undoubtedly be a huge blow given how influential he is for us, but ultimately if he wishes to move on and City make a bid that satisfies our demands in that scenario, there is still a concern that an exit might materialise.
