An update has emerged on Aston Villa and Johan Lange's interest in Ismaila Sarr heading into the final days of the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, the Villans are eyeing up the Senegal international and face competition from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, who have held a long-term interest in the forward.

The report claims that Watford are set to demand a fee in the region of £25m from any interested parties as they attempt to keep hold of their start heading into the second half of the campaign.

This comes after Villa agreed a deal, for that figure, to sign the pacey attacker during the previous summer transfer window under Steven Gerrard, before the ex-manager decided to walk away from the proposed transfer.

Bye-bye Phil?

Lange and Unai Emery swooping to sign the attacker before Tuesday night's deadline could signal the end of Philippe Coutinho's time at Villa Park as it would add even further competition to those positions in and around Ollie Watkins.

Sky Sports recently reported that the Brazilian attacking midfielder is set to reject interest from Corinthians in order to remain in England until the end of the season.

However, the signing of Sarr could force him to change his mind heading toward the deadline or it could rubber-stamp his exit ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Coutinho has only started six times in the Premier League and has failed to produce a single goal or assist in 17 appearances in the division so far this season.

The ex-Liverpool man has struggled to find his best form in the top flight and the signing of Sarr, who has been impressive in the Championship, could push him further down the pecking order.

In the second division this season, the Watford star has plundered seven goals and five assists in 23 starts for the Hornets - averaging a Sofascore rating of 6.93.

The dynamo, who ex-teammate Ben Foster once hailed as a "freak of a talent", also produced five goals and two assists in 21 Premier League starts for the club as they were relegated from the top-flight last term. 

These statistics indicate that the winger would be an upgrade on Coutinho as the gem has shown that he can have a big impact at the top end of the pitch, in both of the top two tiers, while the Brazil international has struggled badly in 2022/23.

At the age of 24, Sarr is also six years younger than the current Villa man and could, therefore, offer more to Emery's side in the long term, which is another reason why his arrival could spell the beginning of the end for the 30-year-old.