Jack Grealish helped Aston Villa secure their top-flight status this season (Getty Images)
Former Aston Villa star Paul Merson while talking to Sky Sports (h/t Birmingham Mail) has tipped Newcastle United to sign Jack Grealish.
According to Merson, Villa captain Grealish should be the Magpies’ first signing if the club’s rumoured takeover is completed. Meanwhile, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley’s £300million sale of the club is around the corner.
Grealish has been arguably Villa’s best player in the season with 7 goals and 6 assists from 26 league games. He has emerged as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season despite his side’s poor form.
Villa had just returned to the top-flight last summer after earning promotion from the Championship. Though Grealish has led from the front, Villa has failed to impress as a unit, with the side fighting for their survival in the top-flight.
The Dean Smith-led side will most likely face relegation as they lie 17th in the table, just one spot ahead of bottom-placers Norwich City. Meanwhile, Grealish is his side’s top goal-scorer and assist-provider in the league, with clubs such as Manchester United now hot on trails to land the in-form man.
The 24-year-old Englishman has also been crucial to Villa’s success in the Championship earlier that saw them earn promotion to the Premier League this season.
He had scored six goals and as many assists from 31 games in the second division. However, the Villa star’s performances seem to have hit top touch this season despite playing in a bigger league with tougher oppositions.
Hence, it is clear that Grealish is a natural talent and can perform on the biggest of platforms. Meanwhile, Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United have had a lacklustre season so far, with the side currently struggling at 13th place in the league standings.
Lack of creativity in the middle has seen the side suffer this season, managing a mere 25 goals from their 29 league outings. Inconsistency and poor form have been one of the main reasons for the Magpies’ uninspired show in the league this term.
Their highest assist provider this season is Andy Caroll with four assists to his name, while their top-scorer is midfielder Jonjo Shelvey. This shows a clear lack of creativity in the attack and Grealish could be an excellent signing for Newcastle.
Moreover, Newcastle have just two attacking midfielders in their ranks – Miguel Almiron and Henri Saivet. Despite being a regular and playing in a number of positions in the attack, Almiron has failed to impress.
To date, he has managed just six goals and one assist this season from 43 appearances. Saivet, meanwhile, just returned from Turkish second division side Bursaspor after a loan spell and clearly does not seem to be in Bruce’s plans.
Hence, it would be wise if the Magpies pay heed to Merson’s words and rope in the talented Grealish.
Newcastle United’s dearth of a quality playmaker is very evident from the mere number of goals that they have scored this season. That said, Grealish would be a perfect fit at St. James Park, having proved his potential as a leader for Villa.
Also, given his ability to score goals as well as create opportunities for his teammates, Grealish’s arrival would add confidence to a Magpies midfield that seems to lack the same.
