Aston Villa may have to wait until next summer to pounce for the signing of Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, according to an update from journalist Ed Aarons.

The Lowdown: Villa keen on Sarr signing

Unai Emery will be eyeing new signings in the upcoming transfer window, as he looks to take Villa up a level and introduce his own style of play after an underwhelming period under Steven Gerrard.

One player who has been linked with a move to Villa Park since before Emery arrived is Sarr, who has scored six goals in 16 Championship starts for Watford this season.

The 24-year-old starred in the 2022 World Cup with Senegal, starting all four matches and scoring a crucial goal against Ecuador before being eliminated by England on Sunday night.

The Latest: Summer move more likely

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Aarons claimed the summer move to Villa is most likely:

"The premium of World Cup performances and scoring is going to result in Watford wanting a bit more money, I think.

"He may be one that they have to wait until the summer for, when he’s got just a year left on his contract."

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The Verdict: Much-needed pace out wide

Speedy wide players are certainly something Villa are lacking currently, with the exception of the inconsistent Leon Bailey, so Sarr could be an excellent addition next summer.

Frankly, he is too good to be playing in the Championship - he bagged 11 direct goal involvements as a newcomer to the Premier League in 2019/20 - and he is at an age where he should only improve further, with Senegalese compatriot and hero Sadio Mane also 24 when he joined Liverpool from Southampton back in 2016.

Ben Foster has hailed Sarr as a 'freak' talent, and if Emery believes he is someone who could suit his system, sealing a move for him at the end of the season would make perfect sense.