Jack Grealish ‘fits Liverpool philosophy’ but Man Utd and City keen

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is one of the Premier League's hottest properties and former Liverpool star Danny Murphy thinks there could be a three-way tussle for his signature this summer – especially if the Midlands outfit are relegated.

Manchester United are favourites to land the creative midfielder, but Murphy reckons his style of play makes him an attractive proposition to champions-in-waiting Liverpool as well as current kings Manchester City.

"Grealish has been heavily linked with Manchester United, particularly if they lose Paul Pogba, but I don't think they will be the only ones interested if he decides to move from his boyhood club this summer to maximise his career," he wrote in the Daily Mail.

"He fits Klopp's philosophy and although Guardiola has Phil Foden he'll still be interested in other good players with David Silva leaving this summer."

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Grealish, 24, has scored seven goals and supplied six assists as he bids to help Villa beat the drop on their first season back in the top flight.

But Villa are currently mired in the drop zone and could seek to cash in on their main asset should they fall through the dreaded trap-door.

"This is a golden period for dynamic English midfield players between the ages of 20 and 25. Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Mason Mount and Dele Alli should all be around the top of the game for the next decade," Murphy conintued.

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"But if I was Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and had a choice of signing only one of them, it'd be Jack for me.

"All the players I've mentioned have great quality. But Grealish has the edge because of his positional range and the fact his particular gifts are extremely rare.

"He has the mix of physicality and technical skills to operate in a number of areas. His best roles for me would be as a No 10 in front of two holding midfielders or as one of the two more advanced midfielders in a 4-3-3.

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"But managers do also have the option of using him on the left of a front three where he can make and score goals.

"He could also do a job in a deeper-lying midfield role as he's so comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, though you'd be sacrificing his creativity there, which would be a waste.

"If you're Klopp for example, having that variety at your disposal is a Godsend. I'd already put Grealish ahead of Naby Keita or James Milner and the only thing Gini Wijnaldum has over him at the moment is experience of consistently playing big matches."

• Jurgen Klopp
• Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
• Premier League
• Aston Villa FC
• Manchester United FC
• Liverpool FC
• Manchester City FC
• Transfer news

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