---
title: "Aston Villa: Villans ‘seduced’ by Sekou Mara"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-sekou-mara-wesley-transfer-gossip-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-07-21T08:40:17Z"
modified: "2022-07-21T08:40:17Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Villans ‘seduced’ by Sekou Mara

**[Aston Villa](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/) have reportedly been ‘seduced’ by the prospect of signing Bordeaux striker Sekou Mara, according to [Foot Mercato](https://www.footmercato.net/a8557448965913450934-bordeaux-ca-commence-a-bouger-pour-sekou-mara) (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/newcastle-concrete-interest-young-striker-aston-villa-leeds-also-seduced/)).**

### The lowdown: Rise to stardom

Born in Paris, Mara was part of the youth system at French powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain before arriving at Bordeaux in 2017.

The 19-year-old France youth international has since developed at a rapid rate and has already [attracted the attention](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2022/monaco-and-lyon-among-clubs-interested-in-sekou-mara/) of fellow French Ligue 1 clubs AS Monaco and Lyon as well as [strong interest](https://twitter.com/Transferzone00/status/1550015081827602432) from Southampton following an impressive breakout season.

Now as Villa boss Steven Gerrard attempts to bolster the attacking ranks in the Midlands, a fresh claim has emerged suggesting Mara is on the radar…

### The latest: ‘Seduced’

As per [Foot Mercato](https://www.footmercato.net/a8557448965913450934-bordeaux-ca-commence-a-bouger-pour-sekou-mara), translated by [SW](https://sportwitness.co.uk/newcastle-concrete-interest-young-striker-aston-villa-leeds-also-seduced/), Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leeds United are all interested in the [ten-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sekou-mara/nationalmannschaft/spieler/557612/verein_id/23658) France Under 21 starlet.

It’s claimed that the interest from [mega-rich](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1504811/Newcastle-Saudi-owners-PIF-Mohammed-bin-Salman-Yasir-Al-Rumayyan) Newcastle is ‘very concrete’ whilst Leeds and the Villans have both been ‘seduced’ by Mara in this transfer window.

The report also states that the French youngster – who was labelled a [‘brilliant young talent’](https://twitter.com/ZachLowy/status/1542952317913337856) by journalist Zach Lowy –  is valued at around €10million (£8.5million) by the French outfit, who find themselves in financial turmoil having been [relegated to the French third tier](https://theathletic.com/news/bordeaux-relegated-third-tier-finances/RwgffSBUcbGk/) due to off-field issues.

Johan Lange may need to act fast however if the Villans wish to turn their interest into a serious move, with [Southampton](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2022/bordeaux-striker-sekou-mara-set-to-join-southampton/) edging closer to completing the signing.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398332″\]

### The verdict: Get it done?

At the mooted price, signing Mara represents a wholly viable option for Villa ownership group NSWE as they and Lange attempt to bolster the attacking ranks at Gerrard’s disposal ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

As things stand, out of favour Brazilian striker Wesley is expected to secure a [loan deal](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/wesley-aston-villa-transfers-levante-24536614) to join Levante, leaving only Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings as experienced natural frontmen with [previously want-away](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keinan-davis-already-told-potential-23740103) Keinan Davis and [pre-season sensation](https://www.besoccer.com/new/aston-villa-earn-second-victory-of-pre-season-1164158) Cameron Archer acting as understudies.

Albeit Mara himself remains inexperienced at an elite level, the [11 direct goal contributions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sekou-mara/leistungsdaten/spieler/557612) from 36 appearances across all competitions, earning an average 6.77 [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/sekou-mara/1047484) rating in the French top flight, shows early signs of an ability to make an impact on the big stage.

Possessing [hugely impressive](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/402855/Show/S%C3%A9kou-Mara) long-range shooting and finishing attributes, the teenager shares similar stylistic traits to such renowned target men as Olivier Giroud, Gianluca Scamacca and Jonathan David ([FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/3544641e/Sekou-Mara)), and should be regarded as a smart target should Lange be able to entice Mara to Villa Park ahead of their domestic rivals.