Why Signing Jack Grealish Would Be A Statement Of Intent From Newcastle
Rafael Benitez has been searching for a No.10 for a while now and he’s tried a lot of options in that position only to remain unsatisfied with the outcome. If Rafa could go out there and bring Aston Villa’s midfield player Jack Grealish to Tyneside in the summer, it would be a move which would at least show some ambition from owner Mike Ashley.
That is of course if he is still in charge of things by then, though given the likely transfer fee and thoughts of the player involved, it is a move which is a realistic one regardless of whose name is above the door at St James’ Park. Aside from his obvious quality and potential, nobody on Tyneside has forgotten that Grealish scored the goal against Brighton on the last day of last season which led to Newcastle lifting the Championship trophy ahead of the Seagulls.
Following that feat, the £4.5m-rated Villa man posted a tongue-in-cheek Instagram message in Isaac Hayden’s photo with the trophy, commenting “thank me later Isaac”. After that message, some of the Newcastle squad caught up with Grealish for a drink, with Grant Hanley, Ciaran Clark and Dwight Gayle posing with Grealish after the season was over.
Such a relationship goes a rather long way in football and I‘m certain Grealish, a Birmingham boy, would reluctantly leave his hometown club should a big offer come along from the Premier League and his side fail to go up themselves.
Grealish, as far as I can see, would be warmly welcomed on Tyneside, not just for his goal at Villa Park last spring but also because the knowledgeable Newcastle crowd know that he has tons of potential and could yet go on to be a full England international.
The 22-year-old has only played 15 times in the Championship this season due to a kidney problem which led to his season starting late, though he is getting back to his best and continuing his development now and once again looking like a proper player potentially.
It’s hard to say what sort of fee Villa would ask for should they acquiesce to any requests from Rafa Benitez and the Newcastle board, but having spent £10million on Jacob Murphy from Norwich, the Toon have shown before that they are willing to spend what is considered big money for Championship players who look to be going in the right direction.
Signing Grealish would be a great move for Newcastle and would be the sort of no.10 they are looking for.
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