McLeish reveals that Manchester United almost signed Grealish for 200k

Former Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has claimed Manchester United almost signed Jack Grealish for £200k compensation as a schoolboy. United are ready to commit to their interest in  Grealish. The Red Devils prefer to conduct their summer business as early as February. Reports suggest United will accelerate any talks for Grealish, as the player remains a hot prospect for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if they are to make a move. McLeish told the Daily Mirror: “Bryan told me Jack’s contract was coming up and he was getting courted by Man United. All the heads of department at Aston Villa discussed it in a meeting and I agreed with Bryan Jones 100 per cent that we had to keep him. Maybe it was unprecedented money we were giving to an academy kid. But it has turned out to be a great bit of business for Aston Villa. “I used to go down and watch the academy games and he was a precocious young talent and something you treasure. He stood out and wore his socks down even then. I remember his dad came in my office and we said we would do everything we could to make Jack happy and stay at Aston Villa. “We concocted getting him on the bench against Chelsea just to give him a taste. But the next month on the same day the first team were at Old Trafford, Jack and an agent were seen at Rio Ferdinand’s restaurant that night. “I am sure Jack was really happy being wanted by other massive teams but you knew his heart was at Villa. It was just a case of sorting out a suitable package.” It was also suggested that the skipper could have a £45m release clause. Grealish has made 29 appearances for Villa this season so far, scoring nine goals and creating eight assists. Source: Football365 Join us on Telegram!