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New Aston Villa owner Nassef Sawiris taking hands-on role in Jack Grealish contract talks

New Villa owner Nassef Sawiris is taking a hands-on role in contract talks with Jack Grealish as the club aim to seal a deal by the end of the month.

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The Egyptian billionaire is expected to meet Grealish’s representatives in the coming days, as discussions continue over a deal which would see the 22-year-old become one of the highest-paid players at the club.

Villa are currently operating without a chief executive and Sawiris, who is based in London, has maintained daily contact with manager Steve Bruce since he and business partner Wes Edens acquired a 55 per cent stake in the club last month.

Sawiris and Bruce worked together to secure the signings of John McGinn, Orjan Nyland, Andre Moreira and Axel Tuanzebe before the closure of the transfer window.

Coming to an agreement with Grealish is now a top priority, with Sawiris having rejected the advances of Tottenham for the England under-21 international.

Bruce explained: “The owner is personally involved, along with myself. I have been in daily contact with the owner and he is actively taking a part, which is good news for everyone. He’s said: ‘I’ll deal with it and you, Steve, get on with it.’”

Grealish looked certain to join Spurs before the arrival of Sawiris and Edens ended the financial crisis which had embroiled Villa for much of the summer.

Tottenham were ready to pay £25million for Grealish but Sawiris informed them he was not for sale at any price.

It is thought any new deal could include a clause allowing the player to leave should Villa fail to win promotion this season.

“We hope to reward Jack. We are in talks with him now,” said Bruce. I hope it can progress - it will progress.

“But the owner, we have learned very quickly is what he says goes. He has said by the end of the month we hope to have an agreement with Jack.”

Sawiris and Edens are expected to appoint a new chief executive in the next fortnight.

Bruce, meanwhile, is eager to add further to his squad before the loan window closes at the end of the month.

A striker is high on his list with Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham, Southampton’s Shane Long and Watford’s Isaac Success among the targets.