Manchester United's Top Target Signs New Five-Year Deal With Aston Villa

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has signed a new five-year deal with his boyhood club this summer.

Grealish was one of Manchester United’s top transfer targets in the ongoing transfer market, apart from Jadon Sancho. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to revamp the side that will be able to challenge the likes of Liverpool FC and Manchester City for the Premier League, the trophy The Red Devils won last in 2013.

Aston Villa escaped Premier League relegation last campaign, courtesy of Grealish’s goal in their final match of the season. The Villa Parkside had valued their skipper over $90 million, which was expensive for Manchester United amid the financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Grealish has been with Aston Villa since he was eight. He made his first-team debut during the 2013-14 season. The midfielder chose to remain with his hometown club despite relegation in 2016 and was key in their return to the Premier League last season. The 25-year-old winger netted 10 goals in 41 competitive appearances for Aston Villa in the 2019-20 season that led to his maiden England cap when he played in the UEFA Nations League last month.

The new deal will keep Grealish at Aston Villa until 2025. "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," Grealish told Aston Villa’s official website.

"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," club’s CEO Christian Purslow told Aston Villa's website.

Aston Villa will kickstart their 2020-21 Premier League campaign on Sept. 21 at home by hosting Sheffield United.