Gabby Agbonlahor has taken to Twitter after Aston Villa failed to beat Nottingham Forest at The City Ground on Monday night – urging his old club to sign Watford attacker Ismaila Sarr, a target for Leeds and Crystal Palace.
Sarr, 24, was on the verge of joining Aston Villa in the summer window – according to Fabrizio Romano. But a move for the Senegal international fell through. He has remained at Watford, and made a decent start to the 2022-23 season.
Indeed, Sarr has scored four goals in nine games for the Hornets – laying on two assists. It is his fourth season with Watford, and his second in the Championship. His contract ends in the summer of 2024, and is unlikely to sign a deal.
In January, his name is likely to be talked about – with Leeds and Palace also linked in the latter stages of the summer window (Mail). Reports on deadline day from The Mail claim a fee of £25million would get the transfer done.
Having watched his old side show a lack of creativity against a Forest team that had suffered five straight losses, Agbonlahor urged Villa to sign some pace. Specifically, he wants Steven Gerrard to get a deal for Sarr over the line.
Agbonlahor urges Villa to sign Watford attacker Sarr
The lack of pace, or any kind of width, was apparent on Monday night. Villa really struggled to get round the back of Forest – their goal coming from a 20-yard strike from Ashley Young. They need a player that can take a full-back on.
One that can supply the crosses for Ollie Watkins, or pull-backs for Philippe Coutinho and Emi Buendia. They do not have that in the side, with Bertrand Traore leaving on loan and Leon Bailey injured. Sarr would instantly change that.
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