Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has told This Is Futbol in an exclusive interview that Watford winger Ismaila Sarr would fit in perfectly at his old club.
Sarr has previously been linked with a move to Villa, and Hendrie believes if the opportunity arises to sign him, then Dean Smith must take it.
While Sarr was unable to save Watford from relegation last season, the 23-year-old still impressed during that campaign. It was his two goals that helped to inflict Liverpool’s first league defeat that term, another team that were said to be interested in the man valued at £40m (in 2020) by his club.
Hendrie, though, hopes Villa will be able to position themselves at the front of the queue if he does become available in the summer.
Speaking exclusively to TIF about Sarr, the ex-Villa player said:
“I think he’s a fabulous player, I really do. He’s a young man still learning his trade, very raw. I was a bit disappointed with him this season, at the start of the season.
“I felt that maybe he had possibly sulked at the situation that he wasn’t able to go to Liverpool or actually be back playing in the Premier League and he had to stay at Watford. And it took some time for the penny to drop and he is now in great form, scoring goals, creating.
“Yes, he’s a player that certainly brings that element of attack and forward threat. He’d certainly fit the bill for Dean Smith’s side because that’s the sort of formation he plays with, a sort of three with two wide men. So, yeah, he’d be a great addition to the football club.”
If Villa do decide to bring Sarr in in the summer, then the Senegal international would reinforce an attack that currently boasts the likes of Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore.