Aston Villa will ruin their whole January transfer window if they conclude this reported deal
COMMENT by Amir Mir
Aston Villa will ruin what has been a brilliant January transfer window if they sell Jack Grealish to Middlesbrough.
The Mirror claim that Villa are ready to offer Grealish to Middlesbrough as part of sensational player-plus-cash deal to finally land Rhodes
The 21-year-old is a product of the club’s academy and a boyhood Villa fan, and selling him at this stage of his career would be seen as a controversial move by the Championship side.
Despite Grealish’s antics in recent seasons, he is still very much liked by the Villa supporters because he is a local boy who the fans can relate to.
Over the years, Villa have sold a number of their academy players who have gone on to become either Premier League or Champions League winners – a clear indication that they need to stop selling their young talent.
Unfortunately, if this deal is sanctioned then Villa could be walking down that very same path again – of selling a player who could go on to produce something special in his career.
Gary Cahill, Steven Davis and Marc Albrighton are just three names of players who the club sold and have gone on to have successful careers.
As Villa are in the second tier, they also have players in the Championship who were moved on but are now producing the goods in the same division Villa are struggling in.
From Barry Bannan at Sheffield Wednesday to Preston duo Callum Robinson and Daniel Johnson – both teams are above Villa in the table and the players are performing for their clubs.
Steve Bruce must think long and hard before selling one of his prized assets. If he is thinking of making this move then surely there are a number of players who should be shown the door before Grealish.
Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Westwood, Gary Gardner, Aaron Tshibola, Ross McCormack and Jordan Ayew are a number of players who have performed worse.
Three goals this season for Grealish doesn’t say much but its more than Agbonlahor, Westwood and Tshibola combined, and the same as the £12million summer signing Ross McCormack.
In other Aston Villa transfer news, this is when the club can make the transfer of this £10million-rated player happen.
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