Pochettino wants top Tottenham target signed by the weekend

Tottenham are ready to step up their interest in Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, claims The Daily Mirror.

Villa manager Steve Bruce has already confirmed Grealish will be sold this summer in order to ease the club’s financial problems.

The England Under-21 international emerged as one of the best players in the Championship last season but wants to play regular Premier League football.

Villa are paying the ultimate price for missing out on promotion to the Premier League after investing heavily in their squad 12 months ago.

Bruce’s side value Grealish in the region of £40m but will more than likely have to settle for half of that fee, with Tottenham the only side showing serious interest.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was planning to wait until the end of the transfer window to drag Grealish’s price down but now the north London outfit are poised to make their move.

Tottenham’s pre-season tour of the US starts this weekend and Pochettino wants Grealish signed before they jet off.

Grealish played a direct hand in eight goals in 18 league appearances from central midfield last season, garnering a superb WhoScored rating of 7.85 in the process.

Not only that, but no Championship player was fouled more times than the 22-year-old last term (3.4).