Aston Villa have Ismaila Sarr on their transfer shortlist
Sarr #Sarr
An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their interest in signing Ismaila Sarr during the January transfer window…
What’s the talk?
Responding to a fan’s question about the winger on his Birmingham Live Q&A, journalist Ashley Preece revealed that the forward is on the club’s “shortlist” and suggested that Johan Lange may be impressed with the attacker’s data at Watford.
It has been reported that the Championship side are looking for a fee in the region of €40m (£35m) for the Senegal international, although it remains to be seen whether or not Villa are willing to meet their demands.
This comes after the club agreed a £25m deal with Watford to sign the attacking midfielder last summer only for a deal to break down before the deadline.
Unai Emery’s magic man
Lange can land the Villa boss his own version of Lionel Messi by securing a deal to sign Sarr from the second-division side before the end of the month.
Former Watford striker Andre Gray once hailed Sarr by saying: “He’s a beast, simple as that. He’ll win us more games than you can imagine. Even if he’s not scoring or assisting, if anyone watches games and understands football, they will understand the effect that he brings to the game.
“He’s a game-winner, even when we’re not playing that well, he’s like our Messi. He is one of those players that you just give him the ball, and just let him do what he’s doing.”
Sarr, who Preece described as being “unplayable on his day“, could now arrive as Emery’s own Messi by being a difference-maker for Villa in the final third.
Whilst he may not produce seven goals and ten assists in 13 league matches, as the Argentine superstar has in Ligue 1 this season, the Senegalese winger could be an exciting addition to the squad.
He has produced six goals and five assists in 20 Championship starts for Watford this term after managing five goals and two assists in 21 Premier League starts during their 2021/22 relegation campaign.
Meanwhile, Danny Ings is the only Villa player with more than three goals and no player has more than four assists for the club in the top flight this season.
This suggests that the Villans are lacking a player who can score and assist goals on a regular basis but by signing Sarr, a player who has the potential to create openings out of nowhere, they could find the perfect remedy.
Source