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According to a report in The Daily Mail, in-form Aston Villa star Jack Grealish is being scouted by Tottenham Hotspur as they look to make some big moves in the transfer market this summer, and it is a predictable story that ramps up the pressure on Villans boss Dean Smith.

What's the word, then?

Well, Spurs have long been linked with the 23-year-old and the Championship outfit managed to rebuff interest in him last summer according to The Times, before tying him down to a new contract with a £45m release clause included.

While that is a fee that could make the north London outfit make twice about making an approach, the Midlands outfit will need to be prepared for interest in their talisman and captain – especially if they don't win promotion back to the Premier League for the third successive season.

Grealish has made a huge impact following his return from a three-month injury lay-off earlier this month, and was of course the victim-turned-hero during the second city derby last weekend.

Pressure on Smith

While the skipper did commit his future to Villa, there would be no surprise if the talented individual begins to get itchy feet should the club remain in England's second tier for yet another season.

If a club like Tottenham do come calling it will undoubtedly interest Grealish – especially when he sees how well other English players like Dele Alli and Harry Kane have fared under Mauricio Pochettino in recent years.

Given the 23-year-old is a Villa fan however, any uncertainty would surely be removed if they are competing in the top flight next term.

The pressure is then very much on Smith to deliver in the coming weeks and months, and with automatic promotion all but out of the window they will have to rely on the lottery of the play-offs if they secure a top-six finish.