(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Tue 12 May 2026 19:30, UK

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Aston Villa are surely the most likely candidates to seal a move for Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara this summer.

The Turkish giants have been fielding significant Premier League interest in the 26-year-old in recent months, with Villa, Everton and Tottenham all keen to sign him this summer, according to Takvim.

Okan Buruk’s side have placed a £35million valuation on the Brazilian ahead of the summer window, and suggestions in Istanbul are that they could sanction a sale if they can source a replacement.

Galatasaray have Bernardo Silva as one of their main options to come into their midfield, with any successful deal in that area of the pitch set to see Sara go to auction ahead of next term.

Aston Villa are long-term admirers of the former Norwich City man, and they surely hold all the cards when it comes to the race to secure his signature this summer.

Aston Villa only team capable of replicating Galatasaray opportunity

Sara has had no shortage of Premier League suitors in the last 12 months, with Leeds also heavily linked with a move for him earlier this season.

However, the race for his services now appears to be down to just three main candidates in the final weeks before the window opens once again.

Tottenham are facing huge uncertainty in their transfer plans due to their ongoing fight against relegation, while Everton’s stuttering form of late has seen their European hopes take a major blow.

On the other hand, Villa remain on course to secure Champions League football for next term, and replicate the opportunity that would be on the table for Sara if he were to remain at Galatasaray.

Buruk’s men have already secured the league title and their place in Europe’s elite competition next term, so Sara will surely only be truly keen on a move if that same opportunity exists elsewhere.

Throw in the fact that the Villans’ likely qualification will see their coffers receive a major boost, and the £35m asking price may be well within their capability.

The combination of those two things will surely put Unai Emery and Co. in the box seat to land the 26-year-old this summer, as a move to Villa Park would provide an even sweeter deal than just Premier League football.

Gabriel Sara swoop may be used to cover Youri Tielemans exit

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Tuesday that Villa could accept a “huge fee” for Youri Tielemans this summer, with the Belgian once again attracting interest from some top European clubs.

The second city outfit’s PSR situation remains precarious, and while they have avoided a big sale of a key star in recent years, that could yet change this summer.

A lucrative departure could truly open up Villa’s spending capabilities once again, and Brown feels that they may be tempted to cash in on Tielemans if the right amount of money is put on the table.

With that in mind, it is possible that a swoop for Sara could be lined up as a contingency plan for Tielemans’ departure, given that they carry out similar roles on the pitch.