Arsenal have made inquiries about signing Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish this summer, but his £80m price tag has almost immediately cooled talks.
Grealish had been in high demand for several months, with Manchester United and Manchester City both keen to land the Englishman, and there were hopes on both sides that Villa would be forced to lower their asking price. If they go back.
Grealish’s goal helped Villa survive on the final day of the season / Poll/Getty Images
Unfortunately for Manchester’s two rivals, Villa managed to avoid the drop and are now set to stand firm on their £80m valuation. That figure is expected to scare off most contenders, and according to Sky Sports News, that’s exactly what happened to Arsenal.
The Gunners are said to have gone no further than an initial inquiry after Villa insisted Grealish would only be sold for an astronomical figure. Mikel Arteta’s side are not blessed with a huge transfer budget, and spending that kind of money on one player this summer is not an option.
It has been noted that ‘a number of clubs’ would be willing to pay around the £50m mark for Grealish, but Villa have no need to do business for that fee.
They see him as a 24-year-old England international with three years left on his contract, and believe he is worth the same £80million that United paid for Harry Maguire last summer. .
what a day Keeping your club in the Premier League for another year. My club ❤️⚽️ #AVFC pic.twitter.com/RfYNCJue43
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) July 26, 2020
It turns out to be a disappointing summer for Arsenal. As well as costing a move for Grealish, they have also seen a second bid for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
The Gunners have refused to pay the party’s £45m release clause as a result of their current financial uncertainty, forcing Arteta to get a little creative in the transfer market.
Free transfers, loans and swap deals are expected to be Arsenal’s preferred means of doing business this summer, and while that usually limits the kind of quality you can expect, Arsenal have Still linked with some top names.
Mikel Arteta struggles to score his favorite goals / Poll / Getty Images
Chelsea winger Willian, who is out of contract this summer after the Blues’ Champions League campaign ends, is believed to be high on Arteta’s wish list, while Matteo Guinduzzi and There are also reports of a swap deal with Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho. .
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