Sources: Ismaila Sarr move to Aston Villa collapses at 11th hour as new targets lined up
Aston Villa have pulled the plug on their pursuit of Ismaila Sarr even though he completed a medical, sources have told Football Insider.
The forward was granted permission to head to Villa on Sunday to finalise the move after Watford accepted a £27million offer.
Sarr was all set to be confirmed as a Villa player on Monday but the transfer has now collapsed.
The attacker, 24, could not agree personal terms and Steven Gerrard has had second thoughts on signing the player.
He now wants to strengthen the squad elsewhere and has set his sights on alternative targets in what amounts to a huge change of heart at the eleventh hour.
Sarr has two years remaining on his contract at Vicarage Road.
The Senegal international was not in the Watford squad that shared a goalless draw with Preston North End on Saturday.
He did feature in the Hornets’ first three games of the season and scored a spectacular goal from his own half in 8 August’s 1-1 draw with West Brom.
Sarr also saw a tame penalty saved in that game, costing his side the win.
In total, he has scored 25 goals in 95 games for the Hornets since joining from Rennes in 2019.
Villa lost 3-1 to Crystal Palace on Saturday (20 August).
Gerrard’s side are next in action against Bolton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday (23 August).
In other news, a medical insider has claimed Diego Carlos may not recover until 2024 after Aston Villa source’s update.