In one of the more intriguing transfer rumours to materialise, is that of Watford’s rising star Ismaila Sarr.
Sarr remains heavily linked with a move to Anfield, but the latest news emanating from the French press indicates that Villa have entered the race with an audacious offer.
It is thought that Watford have already agreed a fee with Jurgen Klopp’s club, thought to be in the region of £32m-£26m. Liverpool are yet to finalise personal terms with the winger, with an annual wage expectation of between €6-€7m cited.
The appeal of joining the former European Champions and current Premier League winners no doubt appeal, but Villa have entered the race with the significant lure of regular first team football. Not to mention a possible higher bid.
Embed from Getty ImagesIndeed, whilst funding the fee appears of no concern due to the current owners’ deep pockets, structuring an alluring deal to turn the 22 year olds head towards Villa Park would represent the most challenging aspect.
However, Villa could certainly offer Sarr guaranteed first team action, with the recent win over Burton illustrating that the squad is decidedly limited once the fringe players feature. Further, whilst Villa’s first PL victory over Sheffield United was obviously welcome, the midfield was crying out for variety.
Liverpool, by contrast, have a settled squad, and recently recruited Wolves’ Jota and continue to seek to add the likes of Barcelona’s Dembele to their ranks. Sarr might reasonably find himself warming the bench, or at best rotating amongst some of the best global midfield talent.
Sarr was a standout player in a Watford side that struggled last season before suffering relegation. Many will recall that the London club recruited Nigel Pearson to drag them out of the drop-zone, only to inexplicably sack the manager ahead of their final run in.
The former Stade Rennais attacker grabbed five goals and six assists in the Premier League last term.
With Manchester United and Everton also having been offered the player too, Villa will need to act swiftly and decisively if this rumour for the Senegalese international can come to anything at all. Any move would cost Villa a cool £36m+
HIGHLIGHT REEL
NEWSLETTER
Don’t forget to SIGN UP to our 100% FREE Villa Newsletter.
A decade of Villa News to your inbox – JOIN TODAY!
Want to help even more? Please Donate
Odd rumour. Can’t see it happening.
In Villa actual news, Keinan Davis has today signed a four year deal. There’s been rumours about him moving out on loan for the season, but unless we bring yet another forward in I can’t see that happening either, as he’s clearly Dean’s preferred back up to Watkins at the moment.
I’m pleased Keinan got a new deal as he’s got a lot of fantastic qualities. Strong, smart, great at holding up the ball and bringing his teammates interested attacks. As seen against Burton last week (and against Arsenal during the restart) he’s got the pace and power to catch teams on the break as well.
I do have a couple of worries, though. Namely, his fitness and finishing. He’s had a fair few injury concerns already during his short career, and has had an unfortunate habit of picking up a knock just when he looked on the verge of a first team breakthrough. At one point last season he was seriously pushing Wesley for a starting spot, only to end up ruled out at exactly the same time. No doubt he’ll be frustrated about this himself and keen to show he can deliver, but we’re yet to see him put a run of regular starts together and gain that first team experience, which is one of the reasons a loan move would probably be really beneficial in his development – if we had cover in place.
His finishing has been – if you’ll part n the pun – hit and miss. Last week saw a great run and finish, but it’s probably in the back of every fan’s mind that he should really have scored more goals for us with the number of appearances he’s had for us. Most of those appearance s have been as a substitute, of course, but he’s had chances and so far, the return hasn’t been great.
Again, this is something that could be evaluated better when he’s getting regular 90 minute appearances under his belt. Chances are he may be given the nod against Bristol on Thursday, he’s going to start fulfillng that potential he’s shown, then he needs to get those games under his belt. Our years in the Championship were the making of Jack, if we do manage to pick up another attacking player then it wouldn’t surprise me to see him sent out on loan with the instructions “show us what you can do”.