Aston Villa have reportedly walked away from a £27 million deal for key attacking target Ismaila Sarr over disagreements on personal terms.
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have had an eleventh-hour change of heart with their pursuit of Ismaila Sarr, as Steven Gerrard pulls the plug on a potential £27 million deal. There were disagreements over personal terms, and Villa could look to strengthen other areas of their squad.
Ismaila Sarr’s name has been doing the rounds in the rumour mill in the last few weeks, as many Premier League clubs are chasing the Senegalese international. Many think the Watford winger is too good for the Championship and have wanted to see the attacker back in the top flight.
He has had no shortage of interest from the Premier League, with Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Everton chasing his signature. Initially, Watford’s potentially high asking price threatened to derail the winger’s hopes of departing from Vicarage Road, but things took a different turn in the last few days.
Aston Villa agreed on a deal with Watford for around £27 million, and Sarr looked set for a move to Villa Park. The report claims the Senegalese winger completed a medical with the Villans as the move inched closer to completion.
But Football Insider suggests Aston Villa have pulled the plug on the move in the eleventh hour following disagreements with the player on personal terms. The report also claims that Steven Gerrard may focus on strengthening other areas of his squad and could abandon bringing in an attacking player.
If the story is accurate, it certainly opens the door for other suitors like Leeds United or Crystal Palace to swoop in for Sarr. Palace have already had a bid rejected and could go back with a fresh offer, now when his transfer fee is transparent for the world to see.
Leeds United could also make another attempt, and Sarr will have no shortage of options between now and the transfer deadline. The winger was reportedly keen on playing for Aston Villa, but now that dream could be out of the question. Where Sarr ends up remains the question, although he could prove to be a solid signing for any club, particularly at that price tag of £27 million.
