Barcelona have been told that buying Jack Grealish is the solution to their current crisis - even if the transfer costs £130 million.
The Aston Villa midfielder has been in dazzling form this season with seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions - and Paul Merson has suggested that the Nou Camp is the ideal place for him to showcase his skills.
"I think that much of him," the Arsenal legend told Sky Sports. "He's one of the best around and if I'm a manager at one of the big boys - and no disrespect to Aston Villa here... I'm looking at £120 million, £130 million for him, I would pay."
Merson added that, having watched Paris Saint-Germain humiliate Barcelona 4-1 on their own ground in the Champions League this week, he believes Grealish is the player to put some spark into the struggling Catalan giants.
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"I watched Barcelona the other night get ripped to shreds," he said. "If I'm Barcelona, I'm buying him tomorrow morning.
"It doesn't matter how much it is, I'm buying Jack Grealish - because Jack Grealish at the Nou Camp would absolutely rip it up."
Given his supreme technical skills, it's certainly not outlandish to suggest that the 25-year-old England international would be at home in Barcelona's midfield. Although Barca may consider fixing their leaky defence an equal priority.
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However Merson probably hasn't been studying the books of the La Liga club recently, as Barcelona are dealing with a mountain of debt said to total over a billion Euros.
So despite their urgent need for new talent, given how badly their transfer plan to replace their former legends has proved to be, we seriously doubt there will be a £100+ million bid from Barca for Grealish any time soon.
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Unless, perhaps, Ronald Koeman is sacked and Merson is shockingly drafted in as the new Barcelona boss/president all in one go.
Given all the crazy decisions made at that club of late, can we really rule it out?
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Aston Villa, Football, Barcelona, Jack Grealish
