Aston Villa midfielder Glenn Whelan believes winning promotion to the Premier League could hold the key to Jack Grealish staying at Villa Park.
Grealish, born in Birmingham and a Villa fan, has been heavily linked with a move away from his boyhood club since they were relegated from the top flight in 2017.
Tottenham failed with a bid to sign him last summer, making their move too late in the transfer window as the takeover went through, and the Champions League finalists are expected to renew their interest in the 23-year-old attacker.
Many observers feel Grealish will be playing in the Premier League next season, regardless of whether Villa win Monday's Championship play-off final against Derby.
Whelan thinks victory at Wembley and the chance to captain Villa in the Premier League would be an enormous incentive for Grealish to remain at the club.
"He is Villa through and through," said Whelan. "Jack wants to play in the Premier League and he wants to play as high as he can, but he will be the first one to tell you he wants to do that with Villa.
"If we get to the Premier League, it should not be a problem. We all want Jack to play in the Premier League. I am sure it will be the greatest occasion for him if he can captain the team and get us up to the Premier League."
