5 alternative wingers Aston Villa could sign after Ismaila Sarr transfer deal collapses

After looking set to secure their sixth summer signing, the Mirror today reported that Ismaila Sarr’s £25 million move to Aston Villa had fallen through.

Watford had looked set to lose all three of their first choice attackers to Premier League clubs after they accepted Aston Villa’s bid for the Senegal forward, however it appears they have now done a u-turn and will look to offer Sarr a new contract to remain with the club.

After previously attracting the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, Sarr had looked like a brilliant signing for Aston Villa and fans will be disappointed that they couldn’t get the deal across the line.

With Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet both leaving this summer, Steven Gerrard is eager to bolster his attack and will now need to look at alternatives to snap up before next week’s deadline.

Here are five players Aston Villa could target...

Otavio

According to A Bola, Aston Villa are already monitoring Porto winger Otavio and had scouts present at their defeat to Sporting Lisbon at the weekend.

The 27-year-old plays in a slightly different position to Sarr but has featured out wide for large parts of his career and has found great success with his attacking threat and goal contributions - bagging eleven assists in the Primeira Liga last time out.

The only issue is Otavio’s price-tag, with the Portugal forward’s current contract holding a £50m release clause - a significant increase on what Villa were planning to pay for Sarr.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Callum Hudson-Odoi is reportedly interested in leaving Chelsea on loan this summer after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

The winger was previously seen as one of England’s biggest prospects but has struggled for game-time and has allowed his career to stall.

Hudson-Odoi’s goal contribution record isn’t great but is a clear talent and would certainly improve with more minutes on the pitch.

Noni Madueke

Aston Villa were linked with a move for PSV’s Noni Madueke back in April and could see him as a good alternative to Sarr.

The 20-year-old has impressed in the Netherlands over the past couple of seasons, bagging 11 goal contributions last time out.

It is likely PSV will let Madueke go easily with Cody Gakpo also linked with a move away, however the Barnet-born forward could be tempted by a return to England.

Ryan Kent

Aston Villa have been linked with Ryan Kent all summer and could be a great addition to the team due to Steven Gerrard’s relationship with the winger.

The former Liverpool attacker was brought to Rangers by Gerrard back in 2018 and went onto claim 19 goal contributions during their title-winning campaign.

With Kent’s contract in the Ibrox Stadium set to expire at the end of the season, Rangers could be tempted to sell him to avoid losing him for free next summer.

Nabil Fekir

Earlier this month Futbol Total reported that Aston Villa had submitted a €25m bid for Real Betis’ Nabil Fekir.

Although not an out-and-out winger, the Frenchman is a great attacking threat and has featured out wide on a number of occasions.

Fekir was named in the La Liga Team of the Season last time out after bagging six goals and eight assists for the Spanish side/