Arsenal legend Paul Merson thinks Newcastle should beat Manchester United to Aston Villa star Jack Grealish once their prospective new owners have bought the club from Mike Ashley.
Saudi prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud is bankrolling a £300million takeover which is edging closer to completion.
Premier League sides are expected to struggle in the summer transfer window because their revenue has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
But Newcastle could have significant investment into the squad once their new owner completes the purchase.
And Merson thinks they should look to hijack United’ move for Villa captain Grealish – who is expected to cost around £60m.
“You’d have no chance with Kevin De Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes, but I would sign Jack Grealish,” Merson told Sky Sports’ The Football Show.
“When I watch Newcastle play, they haven’t got enough brave footballers.
“I played against Newcastle many times, and it was always keeping the crowd quiet.
“For me Jack Grealish would tick the boxes. One he would entertain and two he would like to get on the ball. Definitely, I’d take Grealish.”
Grealish is likely to leave relegation-threatened Villa and Merson thinks the 24-year-old would blossom in a stronger squad.
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“He’s a special player,” Merson added. “He’s the best three or four-yard passer I’ve seen in the game for a long time. People will go ‘three or four-yard passes’, but you watch football when it comes back and see how many people roll the ball to a full-back and they have to take a touch or someone goes on the overlap and they kick it out of touch.
“It is always a pitch perfect ball, that three or four-yard ball and for me he is a special player. Very comfortable on the ball, very gifted.
“He’s an outstanding player. People look at him at the moment and big clubs are probably thinking ‘can I trust Jack Grealish, has he got a position?’
“He keeps going everywhere for the ball, but I think that’s just because he’s at Aston Villa. If he went to a bigger club with better players who are on his wavelength, I think he will play a position.
“At the moment people are a bit worried because he’s going all over the pitch to get the ball.
“With better players, he would be able to hold his position and would be a massive asset for any club in the Premier League.”
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