Jack Grealish has hinted he would prefer to stay at Aston Villa for the long-term after his failed move to Tottenham over the summer.
The midfielder appeared to be close to joining Spurs in the final week of the summer transfer window only for Villa’s new owners to declare him not for sale.
Tottenham ended up without a single new signing and Grealish was forced to stay at Villa, where he endured a difficult start to the new season in which manager Steve Buce was sacked.
However, the 22-year-old seems to be settling back in at Villa Park, finding the net in the weekend’s derby victory over Birmingham City.
And Grealish has suggested a long-term stay with Villa is something that could be in the pipeline.
“The start of the season was tough for me. I had such a tough summer when I did not know where I was going to be,” he said (via the Birmingham Mail).
“People might think ‘it’s just football’ but it does play with your head. It took me a little time to get over that. But this is my club, this is what I have dreamed of, ever since I was a kid.
“I have always wanted to play for Aston Villa so I am not going to sit there and think ‘I could have been there’ or whatever. The grass isn’t always greener.
“If you look at our team, look at our manager and everything, the ground and the facilities, I think we belong in the Premier League.
“Who knows what can happen now? All we need to do is keep on performing, keep on winning and be in around it come Christmas time, and then have a good strong second half to the season.
“Where I want to be is back in the Premier League with this club. It is tight. It’s such a crazy league, the Championship.
“People used to say that to me and when you are in the Premier League, you don’t really take notice. It’s a good league, it’s tough and I like it. But the Premier League is where I want to be, with Villa.”
Erik Lamela’s fine form has lessened Spurs’ need for another creative midfielder, a position that appeared to be a must-buy over the summer.
Lucas Moura’s performances also mean Tottenham don’t have much room for yet another attacking midfielder, so the Londoners are unlikely to move for Grealish anyway.
New 5 year contract signed and happy at his hometown club, no way he’s going anywhere.