Jack Grealish will consider a summer move to test himself at the next level, despite his loyalty to his boyhood club Aston Villa.

The 24-year-old has admirers at Manchester City and United, with Villa braced for approaches for the midfielder when the transfer window opens at the end of the season, regardless of whether he can keep them in the Premier League.

Grealish’s form has given Villa a chance of staying in the top flight following their promotion from the Championship last season.

He is a lifelong Villa fan and has been at the club since he was six, with supporters appreciating his efforts for the team he loved as a child. Those close to him still believe he would look at a move should one of the country’s big clubs call.

Tottenham came close to landing him at the start of last season when they made a £25million bid but saw Villa reject it.

That would have seen Grealish play Champions League football but he stayed at Villa Park and helped them get promotion from the Championship, before being their key player this season as Dean Smith looks for survival.

While he was deprived of his move to a top-four club then, clubs are set to return this summer to land a player who has matured in the last two years.

He has not earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad yet but his form this season has made a compelling case. He switched countries from Republic of Ireland in 2015 after representing them up to Under-21 level.

United, who are looking to bring through young homegrown talent instead of marquee signings, believe he is a player who could add quality to their midfield.

He is ahead of James Maddison in the midfielders they are looking at in the summer, with the Leicester player close to agreeing a new deal to commit his future at the King Power Stadium.

Grealish is also a homegrown player which helps with the quota of Premier League clubs.

Pep Guardiola recently revealed his admiration for Grealish when his Manchester City team booked a place in the Carabao Cup final to face Villa.

“They have one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish,” Guardiola said. “I’m a big fan of him.”

This season Grealish has scored nine goals in his 27 appearances and has been Villa’s focal point going forward. He has been deployed as a left-sided attacking forward, although he is at home deeper.