Conor Hourihane has described Jack Grealish as a "top-class player", while admitting that the Aston Villa talisman is destined to complete a "big move" away from the club amid strong links with Manchester United.
Grealish has emerged as one of the finest young talents in England over the last couple of years, helping Dean Smith's side win promotion to the Premier League in the process.
The 24-year-old was instrumental in Villa's successful promotion campaign last term, and has been able to transfer his impressive form to the top flight in 2019-20.
Despite the fact that Villa have struggled at the bottom end of the table, Grealish has been able to contribute seven goals and six assists in 26 starts, almost single-handedly leading the team's fight to avoid relegation.
Calls for the playmaker to step up to the international stage with England have been widespread, and 13-time Premier League winners United are reportedly lining up a summer swoop for his signature.
Hourihane says Grealish has "taken his game to a new level" over the past ten months, with the Villa ace expecting his colleague to move on to greater challenges at some point in the near future.
“He’s top, top class. In terms of pure ability and sheer skill and technique level he’s easily the best player I’ve played with to date,” Hourihane told the Southern Star’s podcast.
“He’s just got that gift. He runs quicker with the ball, when he faces someone up you’re in real trouble. He’s skipping by the best players in this league so easily. He’s developed over the three years I’ve been here – he’s taken his game to a new level – especially this year in the Premier League.
“He’s taken it by storm really. You know, England team and getting that big move is only a matter of time because, if I’m being brutally honest, he’s too good for our team at Aston Villa.”
Grealish still has three years left to run on his current contract with Villa, and it has been reported that United will have to fork out a fee within the region of £80 million ($100m) to secure his services. However, his future remains very much up in the air at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic, which called the current season to a temporary halt in March.
