Manchester United have reportedly identified Jack Grealish as their primary target for the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their ranks.
According to a report by the Express, Manchester United will make a move for Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish in the summer provided they are able to offload French star, Paul Pogba. After being linked to Jadon Sancho and Grealish in the summer of 2020 and failing to sign either, a big-money move is on the cards at Old Trafford in the summer of 2021.
Given Grealish’s monumental rise throughout the previous calendar year, he has become one of the hottest commodities in English football presently. Since escaping the drop back to the Championship by a narrow margin, things have just gone upwards for Villa and their captain Grealish.
The Villans have gone an inspired run as they find themselves in 8th position in the Premier League with two games in hand over most teams surrounding them. In this run, Grealish has notched up 5 goals and 7 assists playing in a variety of roles across the front four.
The 25-year-old also earned his first international cap for England, making his debut in September in the UEFA Nations League. He revelled in national colours and earned a lot of praise for his performances.
Grealish’s rise has rekindled interest from England’s best with Manchester United reportedly the keenest. However, it is believed that the Red Devils will have to part ways with Paul Pogba before they avail Grealish’s services. Pogba’s future at United has come under scrutiny several times this season already as the player has regularly made his way in and out of the starting XI.
Considering the fact that the club signed Donny Van De Beek in the summer and also taking the rise of Fred and Scott Mctominay into consideration, United look ready for life after Paul Pogba with Bruno Fernandes having become the new poster boy of the club.
With Pogba’s contract expiring in a year and a half, the summer window could be a good time for Manchester United to cash in on the midfielder and use the funds to meet Villa’s demands for Grealish’s signature. After failing to secure a move away from Villa Park last summer, Grealish signed a five-year deal with Aston Villa, a new contract that is proving to be a massive hurdle in this deal.
There is no doubt that bringing Grealish to Old Trafford has a lot of complications. However, purely from a footballing standpoint, Grealish would be a shrewd addition to this Manchester United side. Grealish possesses the ability to play centrally as a No. 10 or even on either wing.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand recently claimed that he is licking his lips at the prospect of having Grealish as a part of the team’s attacking contingent. He went on to say that he doesn’t care if Pogba has to be sold, but insisted that the club must make their full efforts to sign the English star. It, however, remains to be seen if the Red Devils make a move for the Villa captain.
