According to Talk Sport, Tottenham Hotspur are close to agreeing a deal with Aston Villa to bring Jack Grealish to White Hart Lane this summer.

Spurs are yet to make any signings in this transfer window, but Mauricio Pochettino will surely be keen to strengthen his squad ahead of another campaign featuring Champions League football.

Grealish impressed for Villa in the Championship last time out, and was the club’s star man as they progressed all the way to the play-off final at Wembley. Having missed out on a return to the Premier League with his hometown club though, the 22-year-old looks to have been offered an alternative route to the top flight by Spurs.

The young Englishman would add dynamism and flair to Spurs’ midfield, and it is easy to see how his ability to travel with the ball, beat his man, and his love for taking on opponents could become an asset to Pochettino.

The arrival of Grealish would surely push Moussa Sissoko even further out of the first team picture though, and leave the Frenchman with little choice but to seek pastures new. 

Newcastle should be alive to this possibility and ready to offer Sissoko a return to the north east. 

The Breakdown

Whilst Sissoko has struggled to impose himself in a top 6 side, he could still thrive at St James’ Park. The 28-year-old’s directness, physicality and goal threat from deep would add a new dimension to the way the Magpies currently play under Rafa Benitez.

Sissoko would provide a different kind of central midfield option for Benitez to work with alongside the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame. Equally, Sissoko could compete for the central attacking midfield berth with Ayoze Perez.

If Newcastle are to repeat their impressive Premier League performance this time around then they’ll need the kind of strength in depth that the recruitment of Sissoko would bring.

Transfermarkt value the man with 53 senior caps for France at £16.2. million. With the midfielder so clearly surplus to requirements in North London though, Newcastle could perhaps even land Sissoko for less.