Leeds United-linked forward set to join Whites' Premier League rivals

Aston Villa are reportedly set to complete the signing of Watford forward Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with a move to Leeds United this summer.

The Telegraph have reported that Villa are close to securing a deal for Sarr for a fee which could rise to £27 million. Various reports in recent weeks have suggested that Leeds were in talks to sign Sarr, who was also strongly linked with Crystal Palace.

The 24-year-old has not featured in the matchday squad in Watford's last two fixtures. The Senegal international has made 95 appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 19 assists at the Hornets.

Ahead of Leeds' game against Chelsea, Jesse Marsch was asked for the latest update on whether the club will sign a forward player before the transfer window closes.

"I still feel to balance out our squad effectively it would be helpful," said Marsch. "But we need the right guy. We need the right guy. And I don't want to bring in somebody that's going to take three months to adapt and educate and then not be ready to help us.

"So there's the fact the variables in terms of how prepared are they are, do they understand the type of football we want to play? Do they understand the league? Can they play with this kind of quality at this kind of level? Can they run at the level and press at the level and also then be ready to play and be intelligent enough to execute our match plans for what we need?

"Those are the factors, so it's not just yeah, we need a striker and pick them out of the sky. It's who is the guy that can meet the standards and the balance of what we need within the squad?"