Aston Villa braced for Jack Grealish bids

Leicester, Everton and West Ham have all been linked with Grealish, whose future is in question following Villa’s failure to win promotion.

The 22-year-old was inconsolable following Saturday’s play-off defeat to Fulham and leaving his boyhood club would be no easy decision.

Yet Villa acknowledge they may be left with no option but to sell as they look to raise around £40million in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

Boss Steve Bruce has previously claimed Grealish is already worth that amount and it is thought Villa may demand close to that figure for a player who enjoyed a stellar campaign.

A high turnover of players now looks inevitable, with John Terry’s departure having already been confirmed on Wednesday.

Villa also stand to lose Tommy Elphick, with Reading keen to take up an option to sign the centre-back, who finished the season on loan at the Madejski Stadium.

Discussions over the club’s future direction are continuing after owner Tony Xia warned of ‘severe’ challenges ahead, with Bruce’s position still uncertain.

In positive news, Conor Hourihane is on course to be fit for the start of pre-season after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s final.

Hourihane was forced off in the closing stages and later left Wembley with his left leg in a brace but it is understood the Republic of Ireland midfielder sustained no serious damage.