Aston Villa have been linked with a move for Ibrahim Sangare this summer, however, a new update from a reliable source has put a dampener on the club’s chase to sign the player this summer.
What’s the latest?
In an update from Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano it has been revealed that Ibrahim Sangare has signed a new contract with his current club PSV Eindhoven.
Romano tweeted: “Official. Ibrahim Sangaré signs new contract with PSV Eindhoven until June 2027, strong message from the club after so many rumours on the Ivorian midfielder.”
It was reported by Football Insider a few weeks ago that Aston Villa had made enquiries about Sangare and registered their interest in the player.
It’s a blow for Gerrard
This will be a blow for Steven Gerrard who is reportedly keen to add another midfielder to his team before the transfer window closes, and that may have become a more pressing area to strengthen now that Carney Chukwuemeka has made a move to Chelsea.
Gerrard spoke out last month, before Chukwuemeka’s exit, about his desire to potentially add another central player this summer, saying:
“It’s still an area we’re looking to strengthen and we want to challenge the lads that have done well for us in the last six months since we’ve been here.”
“We want to make it really difficult for people to have guaranteed places. We want to challenge every area of the team to make us stronger.”
As a result, it will likely be disappointing for the Villa boss that Sangare who was dubbed “very complete” by former Toulouse boss Alain Casanova and an “unbelievable baller” by one journalist has secured his future with his current club, as he would’ve added some great depth to the centre of the pitch for the midlands club this season.
The £34m talent could have been the perfect competitor or midfield partner for Douglas Luiz or Boubacar Kamara, as Sangare displays most of his dominance deep in the midfield role and over his own half just like the Villa duo.
Over 29 appearances in the Eredivisie last season, Sangare averaged 89.3 touches while producing a mammoth 3.3 tackles and a mighty 2.6 interceptions per game.
Do Aston Villa need another midfielder?
Those numbers indicate that he is not only a fabulous reader of the game but also a brute capable of dominating his opponent. The fact he won the majority of his ground duels (63%) paints the same picture while his 69% dribble rate show he is technical on the ball too.
The 6 foot 2 star also scored three goals and delivered two assists last term, as well as taking 1.4 shots on goal per game, proving that he is the perfect all-rounder that could’ve been a great asset to Villa over the season ahead.
With that being said, if Gerrard is indeed keen to sign another midfielder this summer he will now need to turn his attentions elsewhere or keep the option open to potentially push for the seemingly settled Sangare this time next year.
