Man Utd set Villa playmaker as new priority target

Jack Grealish is now Manchester United’s No.1 summer transfer target, according to reports in Sunday’s press.

The Aston Villa skipper is top of the wanted list for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he seeks to push the Red Devils back in the big-time, according to a report in the Sunday Mirror.

The 24-year-old playmaker is said to have been ‘at the centre of detailed due diligence that’s being undertaken by senior figures at Old Trafford’ over a potential £80m move.

Despite Grealish breaking lockdown rules to attend a house-party with former team-mate Ross McCormack – a move that ended with him picking up a £150,000 club fine – that has not put off United chief Solskjaer.

But with cash at a premium this summer, United will prioritise Grealish over Jadon Sancho – especially as Borussia Dortmund are unwilling to lower their £100m asking price.

The Bundesliga giants were asking a nine-figure fee for the England international and are happy to hold onto him for another season, despite alleged interest from Real Madrid, while Liverpool are also said to be back in the chase for the attacker.

That kind of outlay is reportedly becoming increasingly difficult for United to justify, with respect to Sancho, but Grealish is said to have captured the attention of the decision-makers at the club and, regardless of whether Villa are relegated, the Norwegian will press the button on the deal.

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Meanwhile, Grealish’s agent Jonathan Barnett has also hinted that a move could be on tha cards when dicussing the future of the Villa star, as well another of his clients, Saul Niguez – who is also a United target.