Arsenal turn to Jack Grealish as Manchester United cool interest

Arsenal have registered their interest in signing Aston Villa attacking midfielder Jack Grealish, according to Sky Sports.

Grealish, who helped hometown club Villa escape relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season, has previously been linked with Manchester United.

Sources have that United are pushing ahead with their move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, leading to a cooling in their interest in Grealish.

Villa value their club captain at £80m, whereas Sky reports that Arsenal are one of "a number of clubs" who are prepared to pay £50m-£60m.

Grealish, 24, scored eight goals and registered six assists in the Premier League this season, as well as scoring twice en route to Villa's 2-1 Carabao Cup final loss against Manchester City in March.

In other news
-Despite the hierarchy of Internazionale explaining in recent days that they could never afford to entice Lionel Messi to the San Siro, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the club's owners are investigating the possibility of signing the 33-year-old as a free agent next summer and paying him €65m a year over four years.

-Wilfried Zaha risks being priced out of a big move this summer as Crystal Palace want £70m for their star man, The Sun reports.

Zaha, 27, was the subject of a bid from Arsenal last year. The Sun report also claims that Palace are due to pay up to 25% of any fee to Manchester United, where Zaha spent an unsuccessful spell earlier in his career.

-Tottenham remain confident they will complete a deal for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg despite Southampton growing frustrated at their refusal to meet the £25m asking price.

Everton have already had a bid accepted matching that valuation with add-ons but are aware the 24-year-old would prefer to join Spurs. The north London club therefore hold the advantage in negotiations and have so far refused to make an offer above £15m, according to one source close to the talks.

-Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil will see out his contract at the club, his agent has said. Ozil, 31, failed to play a single minute during the Premier League restart after the suspension caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta appears unconvinced by the midfielder but Ozil's agent Erkut Sogut is quoted as saying he will remain at the Emirates.

-Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake. Bournemouth are looking to cash in on the Dutchman following their relegation from the Premier League and City are close to agreeing a deal worth around £41 million.
The 25-year-old has made 121 appearances for Bournemouth after moving from Chelsea, initially on loan, in 2016. He has won 13 caps for the Netherlands.