Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson believes Newcastle United's prospective new regime should target a summer move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.
The Magpies have edged closer to a new takeover deal after the Premier League began assessing the credentials of a new chairman.
News emerged on Tuesday that PCP Capital Partners' takeover bid for the club has reached the Premier League's Owners and Directors' Test stage.
The bid, spearheaded by financier Amanda Staveley and also involving the Reuben brothers, Simon and David, is backed by the mega-rich Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
As a result, fans are excited about a new era and speculation is rife about changes the club could see to its playing department and management team.
A plethora of high profile players have been linked in recent days but when asked who the prospective new owners should look to target, Merson believes Grealish should be high on their priority list.
“You’d have no chance with Kevin De Bruyne or Bruno Fernandes, but I would sign Jack Grealish,” Merson told Sky Sports' Football Show.
“When I watch Newcastle play, they haven’t got enough brave footballers.
Most Read
“I played against Newcastle many times, and it was always keeping the crowd quiet. For me Jack Grealish would tick the boxes. One, he would entertain and two, he would like to get on the ball.
"Definitely, I’d take Grealish.”