Steve Bruce: Jack Grealish is worth at least £40million

Leicester City were this week linked with a £20million summer bid, but boss Bruce scoffed: “That won’t even buy you his right leg.”

Grealish has enjoyed the most consistent form of his career since returning from serious injury in December and Bruce believes Villa’s homegrown hero has the ability to play in any team.

The manager accepts the 22-year-old’s future will become the subject of speculation, should Villa fail to win promotion.

But he said: “I saw Leicester for £20m. That money now gets you a Harry Maguire, who played 30 times for Hull.

“Sam Clucas was £20m. No disrespect to them – I had both players – but how can you have Jack at that price?

“Jordan Henderson was £19million when I sold him to Liverpool from Sunderland eight years ago.

“You would have to double that to think about even blinking. Reports are reports. I am going to have that all summer, I would think.

“I am delighted Jack is getting recognition for what he is doing on the pitch.

“But I think I can safely say £20million would not buy his right leg at the moment, that is for sure.”

While Bruce admits Grealish still has room to improve, he reckons the playmaker is already good enough to play in the Premier League.

“We are Aston Villa and he is an Villa fan but of course he wants to play in the big league, everyone does,” said Bruce.

“If we can get there for all the players - not just Jack - that’s where we all want to be.

“Jack could play in any team. He has that natural balance. The one thing he has tp do is focus on what he does best on pitch.

“When he does that he is as good a talent as I have had over my management years. He is that good.

“If he keeps progressing and his feet on the floor then the world is his oyster because he is naturally a very good footballer.”