Everton ready audacious move for Manchester United target Grealish

Everton are interested in signing Jack Grealish and believe they have a good shot at landing the Aston Villa captain, claims Football Insider.

Grealish is widely expected to leave boyhood club Villa at the end of the season despite recently being fined by the club for a lack of discipline.

Manchester United are the clear favourites to land the 24-year-old but can now expect competition from Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti wants to overhaul Everton's midfield options in the summer and has earmarked Grealish as his top transfer target.

Villa supporters are desperate for Grealish to stay but would not begrudge their captain leaving for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

However, a move to Everton would likely rankle home fans as they would feel the move doesn't represent a significant step up from Villa.

With Villa looking to command in the region of £70M for Grealish, it also remains to be seen whether Everton's board would sanction that sort of fee for Ancelotti.

Nevertheless, Everton hope a manager of Ancelotti's stature can prove a decisive factor in the race to finally prise Grealish from Villa.

Grealish would also be one of the first names on the Everton team-sheet and the focus would be on bringing the best out of him, which would not be guaranteed at United.

The Villa captain has played a direct hand in 13 goals (six goals, seven assists) in 26 league appearances this season and is the most fouled player in Europe's top five leagues (127).