Villa learn price of Grealish replacement as transfer merry-go-round spins

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Reports claim Aston Villa will need to fork out £40m if they want to sign midfielder Todd Cantwell from Norwich City this summer.

The Villans are on the verge of losing star man and club talisman Jack Grealish to Manchester City. It has been widely reported that the England schemer will soon move to the Etihad Stadium for a massive £100m. While that has yet to be confirmed, it seems inevitable that the deal will go through sooner rather than later.

Dean Smith has already planned ahead with the capture of Emi Buendia from Carrow Road. And as long ago as April the West Midlanders were mentioned in connection with Cantwell.

A couple of weeks ago rumours surfaced that the relevant parties had opened discussions about a transfer. Multiple reports on Sunday are suggesting that Villa will need to eclipse the £33m they paid the Canaries for Buendia.

Both The Sun and Express are reporting that Cantwell will not depart East Anglia for less than £40m. Norwich boss Daniel Farke does not want to lose the 23-year-old.

Jack Grealish tussling with James Maddison, Aston Villa v Leicester, 2020

He is an integral part of the side having made 33 Championship appearances in 2020-2021. He bagged six goals to help the side gain promotion by winning the second-tier title.

The Norfolk-born ace wanted to leave the club at the start of last season after they suffered relegation. But he is now content to stay in yellow and green with the club back in the top flight.

No need for Norwich to sell Cantwell

As ever, money talks in football and a whopping offer from Villa might turn Norwich’s head. If the Grealish deal goes through, clubs will know that they are cash rich and will price their players accordingly.

With the sale of Buendia, Farke already has funds with which to strengthen his own ranks. The German has been busy, with Milot Rashica, Dimitrios Giannoulis, Angus Gunn and Pierre Melou already recruited.

Ben Gibson also made his loan permanent and there is every chance of further additions to his squad. Norwich will be among the favourite for relegation when proceedings get under way.

The manager knows that and wants as much quality as possible in his ranks for the task ahead. Cantwell’s departure would leave a huge void in the squad and may lead to some last-minute scrambling for a replacement.

The Canaries open their campaign by welcoming Liverpool to Carrow Road on August 14.

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