Huge release clause included in Jack Grealish’s new contract

Grealish had looked set to join Tottenham at one stage in summer but has now committed to Villa

Jack Grealish's new Aston Villa contract contains a release clause, it has been reported. The 23-year-old penned a new five-year deal at Villa park last week, despite appearing set to leave his boyhood club before the new season. Both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur were amongst clubs said to be interested in signing the midfielder, the latter reportedly tabling an offer of £25m for him. Though this offer was rebuffed following Villa's takeover by Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, The Times report that the new deal contains a clause which would allow Grealish to leave for an offer in excess of £45m. Sawiris has a net worth of over £5 billion according to Forbes, but Villa, The Times' report claims, may still consider selling Grealish if they fail to win promotion back to the Premier League again this season. Villa have posted an overall loss of £37.1m during their two seasons in the Championship, meaning they are likely to struggle to comply with the EFL's permitted losses of £39m over a three-year timescale. Should they fail to do this, they could be docked 12 points next season. Promotion will help them overcome this, though the club will be forced to sell key players if this doesn't happen. Whether Villa remain in the Championship or not beyond the end of this season, a Spurs move for Grealish will cost the London club over £20m more than they were willing to pay for him in the summer if they do decide to reignite their interest in him.