Aston Villa's bid for Ismaila Sarr may collapse on personal terms

Aston Villa have agreed a fee worth around £25million for Watford's Ismaila Sarr, but the deal is still to be resolved.

Talks were ongoing last night with the Senegal forward, 24, scheduled to undergo his medical. Sarr spoke to Steven Gerrard on Saturday evening but personal terms are still to be agreed amid some concern it could yet collapse.

Sarr, who was also being pursued by Crystal Palace, missed Watford's game against Preston North End on Saturday along with team mate Joao Pedro who remains the subject of a £30m offer from Newcastle United.

Aston Villa were comfortably beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace over the weekend, which has led to some concern that Steven Gerrard needs reinforcements for Villa Park sooner rather than later.  

Sarr joined Watford from Rennes in 2019, and scored 25 goals in 95 appearances for the Hornets, but he was unable to stop the club from being relegated from the Premier League last season. 

Hornets manager Rob Edwards said Sarr's absence from Watford's 0-0 draw with Preston at Deepdale was a result of an injury, but he is well on his way towards a move to Villa Park.  

Gerrard's Villa side offers the Senegal international an opportunity to return straight away to top-flight English football. 

Sarr is an experienced player for Senegal, earning 47 caps and being part of their squad which won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. They will also be part of Group A at the World Cup later in 2022, where they will face The Netherlands, Ecuador, and tournament hosts Qatar.