Steven Gerrard breaks Aston Villa silence on collapsed £25million Ismaila Sarr transfer
Latest Aston Villa news via BirminghamLive brings you comments involving Villa’s transfer business and why the Ismaila Sarr deal fell through last week
Steven Gerrard has confessed that one-time transfer target Ismaila Sarr is “a fantastic player” but, on why the deal collapsed, outlined how Aston Villa decided “to go in a different direction”.
The head coach spoke to the Watford winger last week after Villa agreed a £25 million transfer package but, at the 11th hour, opted against signing the 24-year-old.
Asked about the reports outlining how Villa walked away from the Sarr deal, Gerrard replied: “Well, we didn’t report that and, obviously this time of year, there’s a lot of noise and speculation around ins and outs at every football club but, what I will say is, if we want to make signings they have to be right in a lot of areas.
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“If they’re not, we won’t be hesitant in going in a different direction and that was the case in this situation but we move forward. A fantastic player, you’re talking about and we wish him well.”
Pushed if it was indeed his decision to opt against the Sarr signing, Gerrard replied: “I don’t think I have to elaborate on my answer. If we want to make signings here or in the other direction and we want people to go on loan or transfer a player in a different direction, it has to feel right collectively for the right people at the club. If it’s a case of that not feeling right, we discuss it and make a collective decision.”
And, on further transfer business ahead of next Thursday’s deadline, Gerrard revealed that Villa aren’t currently close on a new addition.
“There’s a lot of hard work going on in the background,” Gerrard added. “We’re trying to explore one or two different situations to add to the group. There’s still time left and, when there’s something to say that’s concrete for our supporters, we’ll say and we’ll tell you that news but, at the moment, we’re not close on anything.”
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