LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Paul Lambert expects Jack Grealish to leave Aston Villa, mentions Tottenham

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Stoke City at Liberty Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Swansea, ...
Follow us on Google Discover

Grealish was close to joining Spurs from Villa earlier this summer.

13th May 2018, Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales; EPL Premier League football, Swansea City versus Stoke City; Paul Lambert, Manager of Stoke City before kickoff

Paul Lambert has told BeIN Sports that he believes Jack Grealish will leave Aston Villa sooner rather than later if he continues to progress, after the playmaker almost joined Tottenham earlier this summer.

Grealish, 22, was the subject of a £25million bid from Spurs towards the end of the transfer window, but the Championship side decided to reject the bid despite Grealish reportedly wanting to leave for north London.

The attacking midfielder has continued to show just why Spurs wanted him this summer, connecting the Villa midfield to the attack and providing a heartbeat in Steve Bruce’s side when going forward.

Lambert, who handed Grealish his Villa debut back in May 2014 as an 18-year-old, commented on Tottenham’s move for Grealish and believes the England youth international will eventually leave Villa in the near future.

“I had Jack as a young kid,” Lambert said. “We gave him his debut, put him on the bench and threw him on. Like any other young kid, you have your fall outs and things like that because you try to put him on the right path.

“Like any other young kid he had his pals and different distractions. A big talent, he really is. I think he’s matured and as he’s got older, the immaturity has left him. He’s starting to realise what he needs to be a footballer, which is great.

Jack Grealish of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on August 25, 2018 in Birmingham, England.

“The opportunity to go to Tottenham, nobody knows what happened, whether they didn’t want to spend the money or whatever. Listen, the talent is there with him now. If he can keep progressing, he will eventually move.”

Grealish has since clocked up 115 appearances for Villa since being given his debut by Lambert four years ago, scoring nine goals and creating another 15 strikes.

He has a contract at Villa until the summer of 2020, but that could soon be renewed with the Daily Mirror claiming Villa have scheduled talks over a new and improved deal to take place in September.

Jack Grealish of Aston Villa during the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on August 25, 2018 in Birmingham, England.