Tottenham could reignite their interest in Jack Grealish to bolster their attacking options.
Grealish was left out of Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup squad after falling out with Pep Guardiola, and has followed an individual training program for most of the summer.
The England international returned to pre-season training with the rest of the City squad, but is still expected to move this summer.
Tottenham famously missed out on signing Grealish while he was still at Villa, when new owners came in and blocked the move. However, Spurs still have the opportunity to bring the 29-year-old to N17.
Neil Warnock is surprised Spurs haven’t pushed for Grealish
Tottenham were linked with Grealish at the start of the summer, but things have gone quiet following Thomas Frank’s arrival.
MORE SPURS STORIES
The Dane targeted a variety of wide forwards before signing Mohammed Kudus, having already added Mathys Tel to the squad after making his loan move permanent.
Nevertheless, Neil Warnock expressed his bemusement live on air with talkSPORT (29 July) that Spurs have not made a more concerted effort to sign the talented winger.
When discussing Grealish’s links with Everton and West Ham, Warnock asked, “Is he not more of a Tottenham Hotspur player?
“I think Tottenham would suit him down to the ground, I’m surprised they’ve not come in for him.”
The principal issue that Spurs would have in signing the Villa academy graduate is his current wages, which far exceed any player’s earnings currently at Hotspur Way.
There is also a question of his injury record, which has gradually worsened over the last two seasons despite a decrease in game time.
Frank should target an out-and-out striker
While the allure of signing a player of Grealish’s calibre is clear, Frank should first focus his efforts on signing another striker.
Richarlison could be set to leave Tottenham this summer, while Dominic Solanke’s recent injury meant that Mathys Tel was used as a striker in Spurs’s friendly against Luton Town (26 July).
The Lilywhites managed just two shots all game and were very predictable in their attacking play as they lacked any presence or a focal point up front.
Frank must quickly address this issue in the transfer market, especially if he is to fulfil his main objective of competing on all fronts next season.