Manchester United are set to switch their focus towards signing Aston Villa star Jack Grealish in the summer, with current target James Maddison close to agreeing a new deal at Leicester City, according to The Mirror.
The Red Devils are seemingly looking to make a marquee addition later in the year, as they look to get back towards the upper echelons of English football after a period of struggle.
United are battling hard for Champions League football next term, but continually seem to take one step forward and then two back, with a young squad that lacks the depth to be competitive on all fronts.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly been chasing England international Maddison in recent times, but it appears he is going to miss out on the midfielder, with his current club set to tie him down to a long-term deal, making any such transfer difficult.
The United boss will have identified a lack of creativity as an area that he needs to improve within his squad, and now has set his sights on Aston Villa captain Grealish as the man who can deliver that for him, according to The Mirror.
The midfielder is having one of his best campaigns this term, his first one back in the Premier League, having notched nine goals in all competitions and created another seven by way of assists in a Villans side that is struggling overall, despite making the final of the Carabao Cup.
There is uncertainty over Paul Pogba’s Old Trafford future and should the World Cup winner depart, the need for a huge signing will be of paramount importance to Solskjaer.
It may be that the man touted for an England call up later in the season has outgrown Villa, in which case United will be keen to acquire his services.
Grealish has proven that he has what it takes to perform at the top level and a move to a top-six Premier League club would certainly make sense for the star.
United have adopted a transfer policy of signing up-and-coming young stars in recent times and the Villa man would fit the mould, following in the footsteps of the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James in possibly joining the Red Devils.
