Middlesbrough are reportedly keen on Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish.
According to the Daily Mail, Middlesbrough have turned their attentions to Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish as manager Aitor Karanka searches for more creativity.
Boro have had problems scoring goals all season, as they’ve found the net just 18 times in 22 Premier League games – the worst goal return of any Premier League team this season.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish
Manager Karanka has attempted to rectify that problem having scored just twice in the last five games, by bringing in two strikers, Rudy Gestede and Patrick Bamford, from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively.
With strikers now acquired, Karanka is turning his attention to more creativity, and with Leicester City keen to land Gaston Ramirez, it’s now a situation of utmost importance for Boro.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish
The Daily Mail report that Leicester have failed with a £12million bid for Ramirez, with Boro wanting £15million, and Karanka has been subsequently trying to land PSG’s Jese Rodriguez, or Hull City’s Robert Snodgrass – but with neither player looking likely to join, he’s turning his attention to Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.
Grealish, 21, has come up through the ranks with Villa – his boyhood club – and after a difficult season last term, he’s notched three goals and one assists in 21 Championship games this season.
The playmaker has huge talent and could be a star with the right focus, and whilst Boro are allegedly keen, it’s stated that Villa boss Steve Bruce sees Grealish as an integral player for Villa, and would demand a huge fee for him.
One thing possibly going in Boro’s favour is their relationship with Villa. Since the end of last season, they have struck deals to sign Brad Guzan, Adama Traore and the aforementioned Gestede from Villa, whilst Albert Adomah went in the opposite direction – and they will be hoping to use that relationship to their advantage in the race to sign Grealish before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
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