Aston Villa have reportedly made a second bid for 18-year-old Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy.
It has been a very busy summer for Aston Villa and that looks set to continue with Unai Emery eyeing a move for a striker who can fill the void left by the seemingly inevitable departure of Jhon Duran.
Semih Kilicsoy is attracting the interest of a number of clubs fresh off the back of a breakthrough season in Turkey.
With it reported in June that Arsenal were close to securing a deal, Villa have stepped up their interest by submitting a second bid for the striker.
After seeing a bid of £18 million plus Alex Moreno rejected, the Villans have lodged a second bid of £25 million, but who is the young talent Emery is so keen to welcome to Villa Park?
- READ MORE: Unai Emery shown he doesn’t even need Jhon Duran as Aston Villa ‘poacher’ emerges in pre-season
Semih Kilicsoy career so far
Kilicsoy is a Turkish centre-forward who has progressed through the ranks at Besiktas at an alarming rate to make his mark on the first-team aged just 18.
Prolific at youth level, Kilicsoy’s 18 goals in 17 under-19 Super Lig appearances in the 2022/23 season saw the forward handed four appearances for the senior side towards the end of that campaign.
What was immediately clear was that the prodigy would not be returning to youth football and he made the permanent step up to the first-team ahead of last season before registering an impressive 12 goals and three assists in his first full season.
This form was rewarded with a new contract in January and Kilicsoy earned a call-up to the Turkey senior side for Euro 2024 but played just a minute in the tournament.
The right-footed striker has flown through the ranks at international level, scoring five in six for Turkey’s under-19 side before two in two for the under-21s and now being a member of the nation’s senior side.
What they say about Semih Kilicsoy
Besiktas academy director Mehmet Eksi: “He scored two goals in his first match. He is a very dynamic, talented striker who can use both feet very well.
“Stylistically, he resembles the legendary striker Gerd Müller from our time. We see it as the future of Besiktas.
“Some compared him to [Sergio] Aguero. He also sees Aguero as his idol.”
Semih Kilicsoy player profile
- Full name: Semih Kilicsoy
- Age: 18
- Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
- Nationality: Turkish
- Date of birth: 15th August 2005
- Place of birth: Istanbul, Turkey
- Position: Centre-forward
- Club: Besiktas (Turkey)
Semih Kilicsoy to Aston Villa analysis
Given Duran looks set to complete a move away from Villa Park shortly, Emery needs a new striker.
There have been reports that Kelechi Iheanacho could be that man following the end of his Leicester City contract but even if that move materialises Villa should still pursue Kilicsoy.
The Besiktas marksman may not yet be ready to compete with Ollie Watkins to be the starting striker, but he could provide a very capable alternative who will only get better.
- READ MORE: Aston Villa FPL prices: Ollie Watkins popular once again with a chart-topping bargain price
Kilicsoy has enjoyed a meteoric rise and looks destined to be a top player, so Villa may well regret it if they miss out on the Turkey international this summer.
With Duran expected to be sold for £40 million, Villa could sign two strikers in Iheanacho and Kilicsoy and still have money left over in what would be really good business.
A player with a massive future, Emery must ensure that future is at Villa Park.
