Potential Watford transfer boost emerges as journalist delivers verdict on Aston Villa's Ismaila Sarr interest

Football League World

Watford may have one less suitor to fend off in January after these comments from Dean Jones regarding Aston Villa's interest in Ismaila Sarr.

Journalist Dean Jones has cast doubts on whether Aston Villa will come back in for Watford star Ismaila Sarr in January.

Villa reportedly agreed a £25 million pound deal for the Hornets winger in the summer, with then boss Steven Gerrard said to have been keen to strengthen his attacking options.

Indeed, a medical was even said to be scheduled for the 24-year-old, but, crucially, the deal then collapsed, with Gerrard and Villa bosses reportedly having 'growing reservations' before walking away from a deal.

Sarr has showed no sign of the failed move having distracted him so far this campaign, netting six goals and registering four assists in his 17 Championship appearances.

The 24-year-old is also at the World Cup with Senegal at present, starting all three group games for his country so far and winning and converting a penalty to help them progress to the Round of 16 where they next face England.

Naturally, there is a thought that Villa could be a club that came back in for Sarr in January, but, Journalist Dean Jones has cast doubts over this with his latest comments, suggesting that Villa, now under the stewardship of Unai Emery, now want a different profile of wide player.

Jones recently told GIVEMESPORT: "I’m not sure that this is the style of winger he [Emery] actually wants. We have to wait and see."

“But from what I’m hearing, while he does want wide midfield options, the style now might be slightly different to before he arrived.”

The Verdict

This is a big boost for Watford ahead of the January transfer window.

Although there will no doubt be other suitors, knowing that a club who had very serious intentions of signing Sarr in the summer are likely no longer interested means it is one less club for Watford to worry about.

Indeed, keeping Sarr beyond January will once again have to be considered a big win for Watford given his quality at this level.

If they can do that, the Senegalese forward can play a starring role for the Hornets as Slaven Bilic looks to mount an automatic promotion challenge in the second half of the campaign.