Jack Grealish is finally over this summer’s transfer saga after revealing his disappointment at missing out on a move to Tottenham Hotspur, insisting he could have become a Premier League star under Mauricio Pochettino.

In his first interview since his proposed £25 million move fell through, Grealish opened up on his summer of uncertainty by admitting he was convinced he was leaving, even three days before the transfer window closed.

The Aston Villa attacker was identified by Pochettino as a priority signing and it seemed inevitable Grealish would be operating in the Champions League this season as his beloved club battled against huge financial problems.

But Villa’s new owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, completed their majority takeover in late July and were adamant he would not be sold, ending Pochettino’s hopes.

This week, Grealish signed a new five-year contract at Villa in a coup for new chief executive Christian Purslow, and he remains determined to help drive his club back into the top flight this season.