Man Utd Target Jack Grealish Signs New 5-Year Contract at Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed that captain Jack Grealish has penned a new five-year deal to end all talk of a summer move away from the club.

The 25-year-old was integral to Villa maintaining their Premier League status last season as he managed eight goals and six assists in the league. While he was able to help keep his hometown club in the top flight, there had been growing interest in the versatile midfielder - notably from Manchester United.

However, Villa have now confirmed on their official website that Grealish has committed his immediate future to the club by signing a new deal that will run until the summer of 2025.

Speaking after the extension was confirmed, Grealish said: “I am delighted to make this commitment to Villa. It is my club, my home and I am very happy here. The owners have made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa. There are exciting times ahead and I am very glad to be part of it.”

The club's CEO Christian Purslow was also keen to express his delight regarding the deal, adding: “Jack is an emblem of our owner’s vision for Aston Villa. He joined our club as a local boy aged six and has developed into one of the country’s finest players finally becoming a full England international last week.

“We are determined to build a top team around him and are delighted that he is extending his contract and committing himself to the club he loves.”

This will come as a major boost for boss Dean Smith as it had looked like Grealish would be departing earlier in the transfer window. Despite the growing interest in his services, the Villans stood firm over their £80m asking price for Grealish - a fee which interested parties were not keen on paying, especially in the current climate.

However, Grealish alluded to the ambition of the owners and the project that has been presented to him. Indeed, this news comes following the arrivals of Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash from Brentford and Nottingham Forest respectively. The former is a particularly exciting signing as he joined in a deal that could rise above £30m after netting 26 times in the Championship last term.

Furthermore, the Premier League outfit are closing in on the signing of Lyon forward Bertrand Traore, while Emiliano Martinez is also expected to officially complete his move from Arsenal imminently.