Stan Collymore reacts to reports linking Jack Grealish with Aston Villa exit

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Stan Collymore has told the Sunday People (27/12; page 56) that Jack Grealish should stay at Aston Villa for another 18 months amid reports linking several Premier League rivals with the Englishman.

Grealish has been outstanding since the Villans’ promotion to the Premier League. But he appears to have taken his game to another level this term.

The 25-year-old has five goals and six assists in the top flight. Unsurprisingly, he is attracting attention.

The Daily Mirror reported this week that both Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Liverpool, were monitoring Grealish. It was claimed that he would cost at least £100 million with his admirers looking at a potential move next summer.

Of course, all three clubs have been in the Champions League this season. But Collymore implored Grealish to snub any offers and suggested that he should look to stay until the end of next season.

“Were I standing in Jack’s shoes, I wouldn’t touch United with a bargepole,” he told the Sunday People (27/12; page 56). “They are waiting for a Messiah. It’s been Grealish and Jadon Sancho on a loop. The pressure to deliver would be unbearable. Similarly, would he get lost at City?

“My advice would be: Give it another 18 months at Aston Villa – see where the club is.

“If there was a sniff of one of the Spanish giants – he could play for either Barcelona and Real Madrid  – I’d go there.”

Villa are continuing to move in the right direction under Dean Smith. They are just seven points off top spot with two games in hand over the league leaders.

Villa fans may be refusing to suggest that they may be outside contenders for the title. But they can certainly set their sights on European football next season.

And should they manage that, then they will surely be favourites to hold onto their talisman for a while longer.