After their failed push for promotion back to the Premier League last season, Aston Villa could be forced into difficult decisions this summer and one involves reported Tottenham target Jack Grealish.
Villa fell agonisingly short of getting out of the Championship last year after losing to Fulham in the playoff final at Wembley in May, leaving them stranded in the second tier of English football for another season.
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As noted by the Evening Standard, not only is that set to result in a bleak financial picture for the club, but it could force them into unwanted sales with Tottenham specifically linked with a £15m+ pursuit of creative ace Grealish.
The 22-year-old arguably had the best six months of his career in the second half of last season, showcasing his talent and quality to drive Villa forward from midfield and to the brink of promotion.
Grealish ended the campaign with three goals and eight assists in 34 appearances, and there was perhaps enough in his performances to suggest that he can now make the next step in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Villa fans, boss Steve Bruce has conceded that may not materialise with them, as he envisages Grealish being in demand this summer and sees other clubs looking to take advantage of Villa’s plight by targeting their prized asset.
“Inevitably that is going to be player sales,” Bruce is quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “There are going to be people that I do not want to sell – and the obvious one is Jack [Grealish] – but people will know that we have got financial problems and they’ll sit and wait, and wait, till Deadline Day possibly.
“I hope that doesn’t happen but we’ve got to baton down the hatches and wait for it.”
Time will tell if Spurs are able to snap up the talented youngster, but they’ll surely be buoyed by Bruce’s admission as Villa prepare for another tough season in the Championship.