Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has called on Jurgen Klopp to join the race for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.

The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from his boyhood club at the end of the season, regardless of whether Villa avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Manchester United are understood to be leading the race for his signature, but Murphy believes that Grealish would fit well into any of the top teams, including Liverpool and Manchester City.

"This is a golden period for dynamic English midfield players between the ages of 20 and 25. Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Mason Mount and Dele Alli should all be around the top of the game for the next decade. But if I was Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and had a choice of signing only one of them, it'd be Jack for me," Murphy told the Daily Mail.

"All the players I've mentioned have great quality. But Grealish has the edge because of his positional range and the fact his particular gifts are extremely rare. If you look at the top teams, Manchester City and Liverpool, it's noticeable they like players who can perform exceptionally in more than one position. Think about Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Salah.

"Grealish has that in his locker. He has the mix of physicality and technical skills to operate in a number of areas. His best roles for me would be as a No 10 in front of two holding midfielders or as one of the two more advanced midfielders in a 4-3-3. But managers do also have the option of using him on the left of a front three where he can make and score goals.

"Grealish has been heavily linked with Manchester United, particularly if they lose Paul Pogba, but I don't think they will be the only ones interested if he decides to move from his boyhood club this summer to maximise his career. He fits Klopp's philosophy and although Guardiola has Phil Foden he'll still be interested in other good players with David Silva leaving this summer."

Grealish has also been tipped to earn an England call-up in March, having scored nine goals and created eight more in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.