Manchester United are preparing to pay up to £70million (₦34 billion) to land Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish who is also a target for Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer. The attacking ace has been in superb form for Villa this term after inspiring them to promotion last season.

United are now determined to take the star to Old Trafford to join January hit Bruno Fernandes in a big rebuild. Mirror Sport understands United are ready to move fast to snap up Grealish, 24, who is set to make his England debut this month.

Unlike his previous contract, Grealish's current Villa deal, which runs until 2023, doesn't have a buy-out clause. So United know they will have to dig deep for Grealish, who has seven goals and six Premier League assists this term after also helping Villa to the Carabao Cup final.

United are long-term admirers after trying to sign Grealish before he penned his first big professional deal on his 17th birthday. Grealish opted to stay loyal to his boyhood club and committed himself in January to help Villa's battle against relegation. But Grealish could see his £60,000-a-week Villa terms tripled if he went to United, who are on course to play in Europe again next season.

A move to United would also suit Grealish's international dreams where their stable of England stars includes Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Dean Henderson. Villa boss Dean Smith was very cautious when asked about potentially keeping the star ahead of the League Cup final, which they lost 2-1 to Manchester City .

“Staying in this league is probably one of the biggest things that will help us to keep Jack Grealish. He wants to play at the highest level and win trophies.”

Uncapped Grealish is tipped to win his first England caps this month in friendlies against Italy and Denmark ahead of Euro 2020.

                                                                    Free football predictions & tips worldwide