Aston Villa may have to pay 'premium' for £25m star out-dribbling Messi in Qatar | OneFootball

Aston Villa may have to ‘wait until the summer’ before striking a deal to bring Watford star Ismaila Sarr to Villa Park as his price tag is likely to have risen due to his performances at the World Cup, according to The Guardian journalist Ed Aarons.

Unai Emery was appointed as the Midlands giants’ head coach in October and will be handed the opportunity to bolster the squad he inherited when the January transfer window opens for business.

Aston Villa transfer news – Ismaila Sarr

According to Birmingham Live, Villa could reignite their interest in Sarr and a move to the Midlands is ‘very much a possibility’.

The report suggests Johan Lange, who has been playing a key role in transfers since his appointment as the club’s sporting director in the summer of 2020, is an admirer and will put him forward as a potential target.

Sarr appeared to be on course to join Villa during the summer transfer window, but a switch worth close to £25million collapsed.

The winger is set to enter the final 18 months of his £63,000-per-week Watford contract at the turn of the year, meaning January could be the ideal time to cash-in.

Sarr has not allowed his failed move to have an impact on his form, having notched six goals and registered a further three assists in 17 appearances this season.

What has Ed Aarons said about Sarr?

Aarons believes Watford will be seeking an even greater sum for Sarr after his impressive performances for Senegal at the World Cup.

As a result, the journalist feels Villa could wait until the end of the season before attempting to reach an agreement with the Championship side.

Aarons told GIVEMESPORT: “The premium of World Cup performances and scoring is going to result in Watford wanting a bit more money, I think.

“He may be one that they have to wait until the summer for, when he’s got just a year left on his contract.”

How did Sarr perform at the World Cup?

FBref statistics show that Sarr attempted the sixth most dribbles at the World Cup, meaning he ranks higher than Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi.

That emphasises that the 24-year-old regularly looks to take on his man and get his team up the pitch, which would be music to Villa chief Emery’s ears.

Sarr scored during Senegal’s group stage win over Ecuador, which was enough to progress to the last 16 before their elimination at the hands of England, while he only missed 15 minutes of his country’s clashes in Qatar.

The Watford talisman also showed that he is not afraid to contribute at the defensive end of the pitch, having averaged one tackle, 0.5 interceptions and won possession 1.3 times while at the World Cup.