Aston Villa have been linked with a move to sign Metz midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.
Dean Smith was said to be keen to bring the 18-year-old to Villa Park this summer according to The Daily Mail (July 8th, page 11).
There has now been a fresh update on the situation, however.
The Birmingham Mail’s chief Aston Villa correspondent Ashely Preece reckons that the Villans’ interest has cooled due to Metz’s ‘ridiculous’ asking price.
It is claimed that the French club are asking for north of £20 million for the teenager.
Aston Villa smart to walk away from Sarr deal
£20 million or more really is a lot of money to be paying for an 18-year-old who is totally unproven in the Premier League.
The Metz ace is an undoubted talent. He is a tenacious tackler and has real energy and dynamism.
A defensive midfielder, Sarr is well-renowned for breaking up the opposition’s play through the middle of the park.
Now, that isn the kind of player Aston Villa need. There is far greater value and less risk lying in wait in the transfer market for the west Midlands outfit, however.
Who knows? Perhaps Villa will go back in for the young midfielder if Metz lower their demands.
In other news…Report: Villa eyeing free transfer deal for experienced ace
At this moment in time, however, Smith is making the correct decision by not pursuing Sarr.
