Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is reportedly wanted by West Ham United.
According to The Mirror, West Ham United are set to battle Tottenham Hotspur for the signing of Aston Villa star Jack Grealish this summer.
The Hammers already have Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson as their star playmakers, but have seemingly joined the battle for Grealish’s signature.
Grealish, 23, has hit four goals and five assists for Villa this season, producing some superb displays of late to spark Premier League interest again, in case Villa don’t reach the Premier League.
Cash would no doubt help Villa, but asking the Hammers for players in return would also bolster Dean Smith’s squad, so here are a couple of players who fit the bill.
Robert Snodgrass
Villa would lose Grealish’s creativity, so replacing some of that with Snodgrass could work. The Scot spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Villa from the Hammers, and became a fan favourite.
Snodgrass has worked his way into Manuel Pellegrini’s good books this season, notching two goals and five assists when many thought his West Ham career was over.
That may still be the case if Grealish arrives, and returning to Villa – where he could be a key player under Smith – may be somewhat appealing to the 31-year-old, who would be a star in the Championship.
Jordan Hugill
This one may not seem like a ‘sexy’ addition to the Villa side, but they will need strikers. Tammy Abraham will return to Chelsea, whilst Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia may not have futures at Villa Park.
Hugill represents an old-fashioned target man; a player with hustle and bustle, rather than fine technique. His loan spell with boyhood club Middlesbrough hasn’t gone to plan, but he has still scored six goals this season – the same as Kodjia.
Steve Bruce wanted Hugill at Villa last summer according to The Sun, and taking him to Villa Park as part of a Grealish deal may not be the worst idea, even if Snodgrass would be much better.
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