Former Aston Villa striker Gary Thompson retains hope the club can keep hold of Jack Grealish.

The 25-year-old is the subject of serious interest from Premier League champions Manchester City who have been linked with a £100million swoop.

The club have already broken their transfer record this summer with the £33m signing of Emi Buendia and former striker Thompson believes keeping Grealish would be a further show of their lofty ambitions.

He told the Express & Star: “They have already shown intent by signing Buendia for big money and then pursuing Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal.

“But keeping Grealish, considering the profile he has now and how heavily he has been linked with Man City, would be a big statement."