Aston Villa remain keen on Watford star Ismaila Sarr, Hornets sticking to £25million price tag – report
Aston Villa remain keen on Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, but the Hornets are sticking to their £25million valuation of the Senegalese superstar, according to The Sun.
The 24-year-old has long been a target for various Premier League clubs in the past, and the Villans under Steven Gerrard were close to completing a £25m move for the forward last summer with a host of stumbling blocks leading to the club withdrawing from the deal [Sky Sports, 22 August].
Sarr has enjoyed another fruitful campaign for Watford in the Sky Bet Championship this season, registering seven goals and four assists from 22 games and the links with his signature aren’t going away as far as Villa are concerned.
According to The Sun [28 January] Watford are hoping to hold off interest from top-flight clubs by sticking to their initial £25m price tag with both Aston Villa and Crystal Palace keen on the Senegal international.
Superb addition
With the Hornets sitting in a promising play-off position in the Championship table, it’s unlikely they’ll be willing to sell their star man at such a crucial point in their season.
However, they have set the price tag and it’s up to the Villans if they want to match it. With Unai Emery in a desperate search to boost his options in the wide areas, Sarr represents a superb addition.
The 24-year-old’s electric and rampant abilities on the wing could add a whole new dimension to Emery’s game plan at Villa Park. Leon Bailey remains the club’s only out-and-out winger which means the club will need reinforcements.
Sarr at £25m could represent a serious bargain, considering his undoubted potential. The Senegalese international has proven he’s got what it takes to perform at the top level in the Premier League, and that’s where his abilities should remain season after season.
Aston Villa under the tutelage of Emery could well be the perfect step up for his development, and could certainly provide him with the ideal platform to finally become one of the league’s best wingers.
Villa should be jumping at this deal, it’s a no-brainer.