Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Austria v Turkey - Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, Germany - July 2, 2024 Turkey's Baris Alper Yilmaz reacts after missing a chance to score REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
Aston Villa have increased their offer for Galatasaray winger Baris Alper Yilmaz. Sky Sports has reported that Villa have offered €20m (£17m) for the player, but the bid is likely to fail as the Turkish club are understood to want closer to £35m.
Discussions between the two clubs are ongoing, with Villa slowly increasing their offer in increments of €1m to €2m. The 25-year-old Turkey international scored 12 goals and added three assists in the Turkish Super Lig last season.
Yilmaz has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past, with Fulham and Nottingham Forest also known admirers of the player. Yilmaz has drawn admirers for his dribbling and direct running style.
He impressed for Turkey in the 2024 Euros, particularly in the quarter finals loss to Netherlands where he drew high praise from Netherlands and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
“Baris Alper Yilmaz was running constantly,” said van Dijk. “He was running elusive. It was difficult for every defender. He made it very hard for us.”
Villa keen on Yilmaz
Villa have been quite in the transfer window so far, as they navigate through issues with Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Last January’s loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio have now gone on to pastures anew, and Villa have spent less than £10m so far to bring in youngsters Yasin Ozcan and Zepiqueno Redmond, and veteran goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
Ozcan cost Villa just £5.8m from Turkish side Kasimpasa, while Redmond was a free transfer from Ajax. Bizot was signed for an undisclosed fee from French club Brest that is generally understood to be under £5m.
With the futures of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, and Leon Bailey uncertain, Villa are in need of attacking reinforcements. They narrowly missed out on Champions League football last season, finishing in 6th place while even on points with 5th place Newcastle.
Goal differential ultimately denied the Villians a place amongst Europe’s elite, but Unai Emery will feel his side can kick on once more. Villa have also been linked with Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.
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