According to The Daily Mail (08/07, Euros Verdict, p11), Aston Villa are interested in signing Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr – but don’t want to pay the £22million asking price.
Villa have already plashed the cash to sign Norwich City playmaker Emiliano Buendia this summer, and are chasing some ambitious transfer targets.
Tammy Abraham and Emile Smith Rowe are just two names being linked with Villa, with Dean Smith being backed with money for exciting additions.
Villa are in the market for a central midfield player, and they seem to have set their sights on Metz talent Sarr.
However, the French side are seeking a huge £22million fee, and Villa currently aren’t prepared to pay that kind of money for him.
Sarr, 18, has made 25 first-team appearances for Metz, bagging four goals despite predominantly being a holding midfield player.
The Senegalese international has been called ‘like Said Mane’ by Aliou Cisse, citing his versatility as the reason for such a bold comparison.
Johan Lange has a great eye for talent based on his Villa recruitment so far, and Sarr would be a really exciting capture for the future of Villa’ midfield.
Villa need that asking price to come down though, and we may see them attempt to negotiate with Metz in order to structure a deal and win the race for his signature.
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