Aston Villa are under pressure to raise up to £50 million in player sales over the next two transfer windows, it can be revealed.

Villa manager Steve Bruce is facing the prospect of key stars including Jack Grealish, James Chester and Jonathan Kodjia being sold as the Championship club battle a financial crisis.

Grealish is a target for Tottenham Hotspur, as revealed by Telegraph Sport on June 7, and Mauricio Pochettino is set to test Villa’s resolve with an opening offer of £15m.

Chelsea and West Ham are also interested in the former England under-21 international, and it seems inevitable the homegrown attacker will be sold after Villa’s failure to beat Fulham in last month’s play-off final.

Despite Grealish’s reputation and undoubted ability, it is thought unlikely that Villa will get anywhere near their £40m valuation.