"I'm told" - Journalist reveals Gerrard has Sarr "back-up plan" he wants Aston Villa "to go for"

Aston Villa’s move for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr is off, with Steven Gerrard now turning to an alternative option, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Gerrard has overseen a tough start to the Premier League season, with three points to their name after three matches, but he still has time to strengthen ahead of the September 1 deadline.

According to The Telegraph, the Senegal international was set to have a medical at Villa Park on Sunday after a £25 million fee was agreed with Watford. Kortney Hause and Cameron Archer were also ready to join the Hornets on loan.

The report detailed that Sarr had been a long-term target of Villa’s and was left out of Watford’s last two matchday squads in the Championship.

It was also reported by talkSPORT that the West Midlands giants were set to beat Crystal Palace to the deal.

However, it is now understood that Villa have walked away from negotiations, with Gerrard and the powers that be having growing reservations over the player’s personal demands. The Telegraph report there is no chance of the deal being resurrected.

Jones understands that a transfer for the £71,000 per-week star is off, adding that the situation became a mess.

However, he adds that Gerrard has already identified an alternative he wants the club to pursue.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m told the Sarr deal really is off. It sounds like a bit of a mess, to be honest, but I’m told Gerrard has a backup plan he wants them to go for so let’s see what that is.”

It is easy to see why the club are chasing further reinforcements having won just one of three presentable fixtures this season.

After their 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Gerrard insisted that they will continue to pursue new recruits.

He told his