A promising update has now emerged on a target whom Aston Villa attempted to sign in January.
The winter transfer window represented a chance for Unai Emery to bolster his Aston Villa squad and the only first-team player who arrived through the door was Middlesbrough’s Morgan Rogers.
Meanwhile, the likes of Kosta Nedeljkovic, Lino Sousa, Keilan Quinn and Joe Gauci were brought in to develop in the club’s youth academy or to be sent out on loan.
Villa followed a clear recruitment strategy by targeting players aged 23 and under to become a part of their next generation of talent.
Of course, in their attempts to flesh out their squad with talented youngsters, some slipped away, including Besiktas striker Semih Kılıçsoy.
Who is Semih Kılıçsoy?
Semih is an 18-year-old striker who plays for Turkish giants Besiktas and popped onto Aston Villa’s radar in January after bursting onto the scene in Turkey.
After netting an eye-watering 40 goals in 62 appearances for the U19 side, he was granted a regular spot in the first-team this term and he’s continued his incredible goalscoring record.
In 11 Super Lig appearances, the wonderkid has netted an impressive seven goals, most recently scoring a brace against European rivals Trabzonspor.
Hailed as a “very powerful” forward, who possesses great agility and exceptional finishing, Villa were reportedly preparing a bid for the teenager but Besiktas remained firm on their stance that he isn’t for sale.
Now, director Feyyaz Uçar has essentially admitted that the club will struggle to keep hold of their talented prospect amid links to Villa.
He said: “I want to say that he will play for Beşiktaş for many years, but I don’t think we can keep him. He is one of the most talented Turkish players in recent years.”
Aston Villa face a battle to sign Semih in the summer
Although Uçar’s stance on the player has offered hope that Villa can strike a deal with the youngster, they aren’t the only team who are pushing to sign him.
Several European giants, including Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have all sent their scouts, alongside Villa, to closely follow the player live in action.
After being lauded as one of the most talented Turkish players in recent years, A Spor have reported that Besiktas won’t consider offers of less than €25m (£21.3m) to part ways with him in the summer.
That is a big price to pay for an 18-year-old and one that could either deter Monchi from pursuing a deal or encourage an offer to be placed.
