Ismaila Sarr is reportedly on the cusp of completing a €28 million move to Aston Villa, having already completed his medical at Villa Park.
Aston Villa are set to complete the signing of Watford forward Ismaila Sarr. That is according to French outlet Foot Mercato, who claim the 24-year-old was close to moving to Elland Road earlier this summer, but is now headed to Villa Park after a verbal agreement had been struck between the two clubs.
Since Watford’s relegation to the EFL Championship at the end of last season, the Senegalese international has been in high demand, with Leeds United and Crystal Palace heavily linked with his signature.
However, Aston Villa are set to beat their competition in the Premier League to the signing of Sarr and have agreed on a package worth €28 million with the Championship outfit to secure his services. In addition, Watford have included a 15% sell-on clause on top of the transfer fee in the potential sale.
It is understood the player has now completed his medical with the club ahead of signing a four-year contract at Aston Villa. Sarr has been tipped to depart from Vicarage Road for some time, having joined Watford in 2019 after an impressive breakthrough season at Ligue 1 side Rennes.
Sarr has ten goals and eight assists in two Premier League seasons for Watford and was a major driving force behind their 2022/21 Championship campaign, contributing with 13 goals and ten assists in 39 appearances to fire them into the top-flight that season. He has 47 caps for his country and was also part of the Senegal squad that won the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 24-year-old looks set to become Aston Villa’s sixth summer acquisition after the arrivals of Philippe Coutinho, Robin Olsen, Ludwig Augustinsson, Boubacar Kamara, and Diego Carlos. Sarr will be a welcome addition at Villa Park, with Steven Gerrard’s side enduring a disappointing start to the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, losing two of their opening three games.
Sarr is more consistent than Leon Bailey on his favoured right-wing and should be a good signing for Aston Villa. He provides a goalscoring threat, and his speed makes him difficult to keep up with, something that will be important against the Premier League’s better sides, who tend to play a higher defensive line.
According to Sky Sports, Sarr was left out of the Hornets’ Championship clash with Preston North End on Saturday, although according to Watford manager, Rob Edwards, this was down to injury rather than an imminent transfer away.
Reports in France suggest he is closing in on a move to Aston Villa with a move in advanced stages of completion. However, in conflicting reports, the club have yet to reach a personal agreement with Sarr, as per Fabrizio Romano. It is not yet closed amid fresh competition from Crystal Palace. So, it remains to be seen whether the Villans can get a €28 million deal over the line soon.
