Aston Villa can RUIN Xabi Alonso’s big summer plan for next Jack Grealish

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 3 Apr 2024 13:37 BST
• 8 min read

Aston Villa have a very real chance of signing Jack Grealish from Manchester City this summer, but should they fail, Unai Emery would be well advised to upset Xabi Alonso’s plans at Bayer Leverkusen.

Grealish has to be Villa’s ideal summer signing. Pep Guardiola has made it clear that the winger’s time at Man City is up with his actions at the weekend.

With the England winger previously having expressed that his dream move is back to Villa Park, there is a possibility a deal could be struck as Emery’s side catapult themselves towards the Champions League next season.

READ MORE: Guardiola confirms Grealish exit: Arsenal panic as Aston Villa stand to win big

One big barrier in a deal, though, could be finances. If Grealish, who could line up against Villa on Wednesday in Premier League action as his former side travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Man City, proves impossible, the Birmingham side could add a wonderkid to their ranks who could prove just a good.

Desire Doue of Rennes has been a player who has excited Ligue 1 pundits for much of the last 18 months. Although only 18 years old, he has 68 senior matches to his credit and recently excelled at San Siro even as his side lost 3-0 to AC Milan in the Europa League.

Data analytics experts SciSports offer a favourable comparison between the teenager and Grealish, indicating that both are cut from the same cloth in terms of their playing style.

READ MORE: How Aston Villa would line up with Jack Grealish

Doue vs Grealish: Playing style comparison

Doue is expected to be available for transfer this summer, with L’Equipe indicating that Rennes expect interest, with “around 10 clubs” on the lookout for the explosive winger.

Leading the way for this Grealish-in-waiting is Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side. The Bundesliga outfit’s €20 million January bid was knocked back by Rennes, and it is forecast that a fee of around double that figure should lead to a deal in the summer.

The next Grealish?

Aston Villa would be an excellent choice for the teenager, data analytics firm SciSports suggests. The Birmingham club are given a Club Fit score of 77. This is based around numerous factors including potential development and playing time to playing style and formation. Only Bournemouth score higher, with 78.

Doue would primarily benefit from opportunity to improve his game under Unai Emery. Villa get five stars in this category.

Counting against the Birmingham side, though, is an anticipated lack of playing time.

READ MORE: Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours

L’Equipe specifically indicates that Doue wants regular football through his next move, something that the likes of Atletico Madrid, Wolfsburg or even AC Milan are more suited to give him.

Certainly, though, Doue is a player that Aston Villa should be looking at should they fail to lure Grealish away from Man City.