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Aston Villa and Newcastle are battling to sign a talented Turkish prodigy
Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle United are fighting for the signature of a talented Turkish forward whose career continues to go from strength to strength under the guidance of Ole Gunner Solskajer.
Semih Kılıçsoy, a four-time Turkish international, is a player that some Aston Villa fans may be familiar with from recent transfer windows after rampant summer speculation linking him with a move to the West Midlands.
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The 19-year-old, according to Sports Witness, was the subject of two failed offers over the summer, with Unai Emery’s men ultimately unable to reach an agreement on valuation following fears of breaching PSR regulations.
However, reports in Turkish outlet Kontraspor now understand that Villa could return to the table with an improved offer for the 19-year-old attacker.
Aston Villa target Semih Kılıçsoy
European hopefuls Aston Villa are understood to be leading the charge to sign Semih Kılıçsoy in the summer. The 19-year-old is a fast developing talent with the ability to play both as a central attacking midfielder, a winger and as a centre forward. Sprox claims his idol is former Manchester City hero Sergio Aguero.
Villa have held an interest in the attacker since last season when he fired in an emphatic 12 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions but were unable to get the deal over the line after failed offers in the region of €16m (£13.5m) for the forward.
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However, after the lucrative sale of striker Jhon Duran, a previously talented understudy to Ollie Watkins, Villa are now believed to be in a position to spend big again this summer while also having the extra backing to spend big after their excellent performance in reaching the quarter-final of this season’s Champions League.
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Kılıçsoy has failed to hit the same heights in terms of goal contributions this season with just four goals and six assists but has shown renewed signs of confidence under Ole Gunner Solskjaer who seems to be getting the best out of the young forward.
Reports from Turkey add that Newcastle could provide competition for the striker. The Magpies are also in a position to spend big in the summer after reaching the cup final and recuperating profit on the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Elliot Anderson and Lloyd Kelly in recent transfer windows.
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They currently have Alexander Isak leading the line but are undecided on the future of injury-hit striker Callum Wilson, who is approaching the final few months of his contract in the North East.
Aston Villa make striker signing a priority
Aston Villa have just one proven centre forward in their ranks in Ollie Watkins, who himself was the subject of interest from Arsenal towards the end of January. Loanee Marcus Rashford, who is likely to arrive on a permanent basis, and fellow January signing Donyell Malen are other options but both prefer to play out wide.
Unai Emery is widely understood to be in the market to sign a forward to provide competition to Watkins and has set his sights on a number of potential options including Tammy Abraham.
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