Rio Ferdinand has urged reported Liverpool and Manchester United target Jack Grealish to leave Aston Villa, as he told his official YouTube channel.
During this hectic and drama-filled first half of the Premier League campaign, Grealish has been one of the standout performers, which has seen his name linked with Liverpool.
It’s already well-documented that those in the Old Trafford boardroom were keen on his services in the summer.
But the Mirror recently reported that Liverpool have joined their rivals in the race for the England international, who has created the most chances in the league this term.
Ferdinand urged one of the big boys to ‘take’ Grealish from his boyhood club, as he believes that the ball-carrying expert is justifying any inflated fee which is being put towards his name.
“If I am a manager of a top, top team in England,” said Ferdinand. “One of the top three or four teams. I don’t allow him to stay there no more. I’d go and take him.
On £100 million being too much for Grealish: “That’s football. £30 million was too much when I went. Turned out fine.
“He’s a fantastic player to watch. I think when you talk about big numbers like £100 million or whatever you are going to talk about. It’s not about how good they look. It generally comes down to, are they putting up the numbers to justify that price tag?
“He’s been involved in 12 goals in his last 14 games. That suggests that he’s going to go for big, big dough. He looks good but he’s also producing.
“Does he need to push to get out? I’d suggest he probably does now. That’s the situation he will be in. If I am Jack Grealish and a Manchester United, a Liverpool, a Man City or a Chelsea, someone like that wants me then I walk into that office, whoever makes the decisions, and I am asking to leave.”
Given that Grealish penned a new deal in the summer, it does give those in the West Midlands hope that they can keep hold of their star man.
Dean Smith’s side are a far cry from the team that secured their status in England’s top-flight during the final minutes of last season.
It’s understandable why those in Europe would be keen to snap up the playmaker, who can keep hold of the ball on a crowded train platform, but those at Villa Park will be hoping he can use those qualities to send them on a European tour instead.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
