Jack Grealish should resist any attempts by Tottenham to tempt him away from Aston Villa.
That’s the view of Sam Allardyce who believes play-maker Grealish, valued at an eye-watering £60million, should stick around at Villa – at least for a season.
The 23-year-old was first linked with Spurs last summer, and looked likely to leave his boyhood club until a move fell through.
Instead he stayed and inspired the team to the Championship Playoff final, where they beat Derby 2-1 and ensured there would be Premier League football at Villa Park for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.
Allardyce believes if Villa are to have any hope of avoiding relegation next season they need to keep hold of their talisman and fans' favourite.
“It’s important to keep Grealish on board, that’s essential for their season and hopes of maintaining their Premier league status,” says Allardyce.
“And I wonder now why Grealish would want to leave anyway. He’s got to where he wanted to go with the club he loves so why not stay and see where the journey takes him.
“He’s adored by Villa fans and he’s playing on the biggest stage. If I was him I’d stick around and see what happens.
“And if Villa get their recruitment right and plus buy the right players to go with him then they could go a long way.”
In an ironic twist of fate, Villa's first game of the new Premier League season is at Tottenham on August 10, the club Grealish was so close to joining.
Allardyce was speaking ahead of Soccer Aid, where he is taking charge of the England team against a World XI.
**Soccer Aid for Unicef will be broadcast live on ITV on Sunday 16th June, starting at 6.30pm. To donate to Unicef visit socceraid.org.uk
