Man Utd are not favourites to sign Grealish, insists agent

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 20 May 2021 11:26 BST
• 2 min read

Jack Grealish’s agent has suggested that Manchester United will face competition for the playmaker’s signature this summer and claims the Red Devils are not first in line to sign him.

Grealish, 25, has been in fine form for Aston Villa this season and is expected to be a wanted man this summer, despite only signing a new contract with his hometown club in October.

Read more: Man Utd will sign Sancho but won’t get Haaland or Kane – Neville

United have long been linked with a move for the England star, but Jonathan Barnett says it will not be straightforward for the club to sign Grealish, with “many clubs” interested in the player.

He has not ruled out a longer stay at Villa Park.

Barnett has told SNTV of the speculation surrounding Grealish: “The truth is we don’t know [what will happen].

“There are many clubs [interested] and I wouldn’t put Manchester United at the top of that [list].

“But he could stay.

“He could stay as well so it’s a conversation the club, Aston Villa, will have with Jack and ourselves then we’ll see where we go.”

Is Grealish likely to leave Villa this summer?

It is a tricky situation for the player because his value will be very high and Villa, having enjoyed a more solid Premier League campaign, are in a stronger position to keep him than before.

His contract complicates things, too. With that said, he is also a Villa fan and has not made much noise about wanting to leave.

Manchester City have also been linked, and speculation intensified last month when Grealish confessed huge admiration for City star Kevin De Bruyne.

The Villa captain has been injured for most of the last few months, but prior to that was again one of the Premier League’s best performers.

Despite missing plenty of games, only nine players within Europe’s top five leagues have recorded more assists than Grealish in 2020/21.