Romano: Aston Villa Make Contact to Hijack Everton Move to Sign Jack Grealish

Aston Villa have made fresh contact today over a deal to try and hijack Everton's move for Jack Grealish, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Villans have already brought in nine new faces so far this summer in a transfer window filled with change, including the departures of Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez, and Ollie Watkins, while there have also been deals agreed for both Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis to make it 11 signings.

But with the transfer window set to slam shut at 11pm on Tuesday night, Villa are still looking to make further additions to the squad, including a surprise return for former captain Grealish.

Unai Emery is understood to be keen to bring the forward back to the Midlands as he looks to bolster his attack, and Villa would have to offer Man City a permanent deal, having already brought in Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on loan during this window.

GIVEMESPORT understands that Grealish would prefer a return to Everton this summer, having enjoyed a successful loan spell on Merseyside last season before he suffered a foot injury which ended his campaign in January.

But the Toffees are yet to strike a full agreement with City, and Romano has revealed on his X account that Villa made a fresh attempt on Monday to try and enter the race for his signature.

Villa would be able to offer Champions League football to the 30-year-old England international, who left the club in 2021 in a club-record deal worth £100m.

He went on to win three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with City, before falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola. New boss Enzo Maresca has offered him a lifeline, using him as a substitute in the Community Shield and the opening Premier League game of the season.

However, he was left out of the matchday squad for the 4-1 win over Palace this weekend, with a move away now looking more likely with City having agreed a deal to sign Iliman Ndiaye.

City Open to Grealish Exit

While Grealish enjoyed a decent spell at the Etihad Stadium, it's clear now that his time at the club has come to an end, and City are ready to let him depart this summer.

Jeremy Doku, Ndiaye, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, new signing Allan, and youngster Ryan McAidoo will provide the winger options for Maresca this season, and the manager admitted last week that an exit now looks likely.