Aston Villa told to complete 'no-brainer' signing instead of Rafael Leao after 'package accepted'

Aston Villa should be exploring a move to bring Jack Grealish back to the club this summer instead of targeting Rafael Leao.

That is the opinion of former senior Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Grealish is on the market this summer and had been expected to join Everton, where he spent the season on loan and appeared to rediscover his best form.

The 30-year-old remains available, but Villa appear to have opted towards a move for Leao this summer and are in talks with AC Milan.

The 27-year-old will end a seven-year stay with the Italian giants in the coming days and is keen to play in the Premier League, despite interest from Galatasaray.

Leao scored 10 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions last season, and enjoyed a fine individual World Cup campaign despite Portugal's disappointment.

Rafael Leao 'has been offered round everywhere'

Leao's talent has never been in question. The winger registered double digits in both goals and assists in each of the previous four seasons before the last campaign.

The forward has scored 80 goals for Milan overall, and has rarely suffered from injury in that time.

His wages are undoubtedly costly but on paper, it would seem a mystery why a major club has never signed him.

The explanation may reportedly be with Leao's attitude, which can leave much to be desired at times.

"I'd have gone for Grealish. Go for Grealish. [Gabriel] Martinelli from Arsenal. You know, that kind of named player," King told Football Insider.

"That'd be a great boost for Aston Villa supporters. If they've sold players of that quality, Aston Villa, and they're not prepared to go and have a look at Grealish or bring him back to the football club, then there's got to be something internal there for me.

"It's a no-brainer, really, to try and give your supporters a little bit of a boost. Bring him back. Martinelli available from from Arsenal.

"I mean, it's all right seeing all these players being mentioned with Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. If they're going to have a chance to continue playing in the Premier League, then clubs should be looking at them.

"Leao, he's been offered around everywhere this summer. If he's a player, he'd have gone."

Would Jack Grealish return to Villa?

Many Villa fans saw Grealish as a traitor when he completed his £100million move to Manchester City in 2021.

The winger had been keen to make the move and was far too willing to leave his boyhood club, in the eyes of some.

But the years since and the departures of the likes of Jhon Duran and now Ollie Watkins, who refused to play against Brighton before his move to Al Hilal, have softened the bitter feeling.

It is unclear whether Grealish would be willing to make the return to Villa Park, but he would surely be welcomed back with open arms.