Aston Villa tipped to accelerate move for £21m-rated Nottingham Forest and Everton target before deadline
Aston Villa are plotting a last-minute move before the January transfer window closes as they look to add more firepower to their attacking line. Exciting Turkish international Semih Kılıçsoy is on Unai Emery’s radar as Villa push for a top four finish in the second half of the Premier League season.
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are ‘long-term admirers’ of Kılıçsoy, who is under contract with Beşiktaş until 2028. With the winter deadline now fast approaching, the Villans are ramping up their pursuit to avoid missing out on the 19-year-old this winter.
If they can strike a deal for the Beşiktaş star, he will join Ollie Watkins, Jhon Durán, Leon Bailey and new signing Donyell Malen in the frontline options.
Villa looking to sign ‘top target’ to boost attack
Emery and co have outlined Kılıçsoy as a ‘top target’ for Villa Park. The rising star has been turning heads since his senior breakthrough last season and his versatility also makes him a very attractive target. The Turkey international is a left-winger by trade but he can operate across any position in attack.
Kılıçsoy burst onto the scene with Beşiktaş at just 17 years of age. Since then, he has become a regular for the Süper Lig side and represented Türkiye at Euro 2024.
Kılıçsoy contributed 12 goals and three assists in all competitions at club level last season, spreading his time almost equally across the wide and central positions. He has notched two goals and six assists so far this campaign.
Premier League rivals battle Villa for Kılıçsoy
As an exciting target for the future, it’s to be expected that Aston Villa aren’t alone in their desire to sign Kılıçsoy. According to Chronicle Live, the forward’s representatives are working on trying to land an exciting new deal with another club for their client. Newcastle United are said to be a team ‘on the player’s wish list’ but there are other Premier League sides who have recently been in the mix as well.
Last September, CaughtOffside reported that Everton, Fulham and Nottingham Forest were all interested in signing Kılıçsoy. The report claimed he could be available to purchase for €25 million (£21m) but no move came to fruition during the summer window.
Everton are especially in need of new options in their attack, as they once again find themselves struggling at the bottom of the table. With just four points between them and the bottom three, this is the fourth consecutive season the Toffees have been pulled into a relegation fight. Everton are currently just four points above 18th place Ipswich Town.
The Blues, who recently appointed David Moyes as their new manager, have the second-lowest goal return in the Premier League this season. With just 18 goals scored in 21 games, only basement side Southampton have found the net fewer times, as they look all but certain to face the drop once again, with only six points on the board.
