Grealish taking transfer talk with ‘pinch of salt’ as Man Utd & Liverpool rumours rage on

Jack Grealish is taking the transfer talk that he continues to generate with “a pinch of salt”, with a deaf ear being turned to rumours of interest from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Aston Villa playmaker has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in the Premier League.

Having taken on the role of club captain and talisman at Villa Park, Grealish is trying to carry Dean Smith’s side towards top-flight survival.

He is taking on that challenge against a backdrop of intense speculation regarding his future.

A big-money move is considered to be a matter of time, with leading lights across England ready to buy into the current ability and future potential of a creative 24-year-old.

Grealish is aware of the buzz he has created, but that is nothing new to a man who has been tipped for big things since bursting onto the scene as a teenager.

He told the Express and Star: “Of course it’s nice.

“Who doesn’t like to be talked about in a nice way? But, to be honest, I try and take everything with a pinch of salt.

“I had it all five years ago when I broke through and I was getting talked about a lot. I was 19 years old, going online reading about myself and I couldn’t believe it. I was in the papers all the time and they were asking: ‘Is this the new big thing?’

“Then just one thing goes wrong and it all comes down on you like a ton of bricks. It is nice to read and nice to listen to, but I don’t let it get to me too much, because I know how quickly it can change.”

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While interest is expected to be ramped up in Grealish over the summer, his focus remains locked on doing his best for Villa and putting himself in contention for a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.

“I can’t help but think of playing for England because that is what I want to do,” he added.

“I hope I have done enough but I also think I can perform better and that is the God’s honest truth.

“People on the outside might say I am doing well, but I know for a fact I can do better and score more goals and get more assists.”

Grealish added on the challenge he faces to earn senior international recognition: “What will be hard at the moment is with the position I am playing in at the moment, people would probably say I am playing as a winger.

“If you look at England’s wingers, I doubt I would have much of a chance of starting in front of [Raheem] Sterling, [Jadon] Sancho and [Marcus] Rashford, who are all unbelievable players!

“I’ve always said my favourite position would be playing in midfield. That is where I would love to play for England.

“It is where I would want to play for Villa, but it just so happens at the moment I am playing well in the position I am in and it is better for the team.

“If I was fortunate enough to get a call-up, the position I would want to play is in midfield.”