Aston Villa have told Tottenham Hotspur to ‘double’ their offer for midfield star Jack Grealish.

Villa were in a perilous financial state earlier this summer before Billionaire businessmen Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris injected a “significant investment” into the club, in return for co-ownership with Dr Tony Xia.

Whilst Villa still don’t have huge amounts to invest, the new money does mean they don’t have to cash in on their prized asset Grealish.

Spurs’ original bid was believed to be around £20million, but Villa want closer to £40million before they consider doing the deal.

And Steve Bruce has been quick to outline their stance on Grealish.

“We don’t want to lose our best players, but they’re aware of course is that everyone has their price. The best thing the owners have been able to do is not let anybody go on the cheap,” he said.

“So if someone wants to buy our players, they’re going to have to find a premium and make sure the owners are comfortable with it.

“We all know what football is, but at the moment Spurs haven’t got anywhere near what the owners want to consider – so there’s not a discussion to be had at the moment, because they’ve not got anywhere near the figure they demand.”

Tottenham remain keen and they are expected to return, whilst Chelsea maintain a long-standing interest having previously been keen on buying him before loaning back.

Bookmakers still believe Spurs are favourites, but there has also been interest in Chelsea.

Betway’s Alan Alger, said: “Jack Grealish had a great last campaign for Aston Villa and is being eyed by a number of clubs, with Chelsea slashed from 20/1 to 4/1 to sign him before the window shuts.

“Meanwhile, favourites Tottenham have drifted from 1/5 to 4/6 as they hunt for their first summer signing, with Villa 6/4 to hang onto the 22-year-old.”