As the talks to bring Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford drag on, Manchester United turned to the other task of signing Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish this summer. To convince Villa to greenlight Grealish's immediate release, the Red Devils are offering Sergio Romero plus cash payment, reports said.
Villa tightened their grip on Grealish following the club's successful run to stay in the Premier League next season, also standing firm on the demand that the star can only leave after payment of £75 million.
United, however, can only commit to a £55 million deal at the maximum. To make that offer more tempting, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to be willing to offer an asset that might interest Dean Smith's side.
According to Team Talk, Villa getting Romero for Grealish could prove convincing for Villa Park. The club will need to replace keeper Pepe Reina and the Argentine seemed the best candidate available. Acquiring the shot-stopper, rated as among the best in the game, could be the key for the team to finally talk business on Grealish.
Smith is thought to have made inquires on United's goalkeeper assets but his target was Dean Henderson, who will return to Old Trafford from Sheffield for the upcoming campaign. Henderson, however, is seen to take the place as the backup to David de Gea so Villa will likely have to make do with Romero.
The 33-year-old proved impressive in the Europa League matches and should be eager to secure first-team status under the guidance of Smith.
Villa having easy access to Romero could boost the chances of United securing the release of Grealish. The Argentine is seen as a hot item in the market this summer and Metro said clubs like Chelsea, Everton, and Leeds are after the United man.
If United can finally convince the Villa hierarchy that giving up Grealish for Romero is a good deal then the talks between the two sides could see a conclusion real soon. The report added that Grealish is set to sit down with Villa executives next week and that session will determine where the 24-year-old is headed next.
The star has already made clear in recent statements that his future will be beyond his boyhood club. Grealish also intimated that his immediate goal is to play for a club that will have a shot at title wins, and the Red Devils are tipped to contend both for the Premier League and Champions League crowns next season.
Solskjaer's side, in fact, is in the process of adding more goalscoring capabilities and the signing of Grealish, Sancho, and likely Harry Kane in the summer transfer window is seen to complete the requirements laid out by the Norwegian boss.
