Aston Villa are eyeing up an alternative to Ismaila Sarr...

What's the word?

That's according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who delivered an update on the situation to GIVEMESPORT this week.

"I’m told the Sarr deal really is off," he said.

"It sounds like a bit of a mess, to be honest, but I’m told Gerrard has a backup plan he wants them to go for so let’s see what that is."

The Watford winger had agreed on a £25m switch to Villa Park but Sky Sports believe that the deal collapsed due to manager Steven Gerrard's 'growing reservations' over the move.

Sarr alternative

It remains to be seen exactly who the Villans will now target in the transfer market but they are running out of time to find that alternative. One name that has been linked in the past is Ryan Kent, who Gerrard worked with at Rangers.

He'd cost in the region of £20m, thanks to his release clause at Ibrox, and could represent better value-for-money than Sarr, given the manager's track record with him.

Villa have started the season rather poorly, winning just one of their three matches and their 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend has highlighted the need for further reinforcements.

"There’s still time in the window to shape our squad and, as I say, that never stops at Aston Villa," Gerrard claimed to reporters after the match (via BirminghamLive).

"We’re always looking to improve in every marginal gain and, if there’s a bit of help we could get, we’ll always analyse that situation. Yes, I’m content, I’m happy and I’ve had fantastic support from the club from above but the window’s still open and, at Aston Villa, we’re always searching to be better."

Jones' behind-the-scenes claim certainty adds further weight to that and surely, it'll leave some sections of the Villa Park faithful relieved as sporting director Johan Lange could be a very busy man heading into the final week of the transfer window.

Gerrard does also have the likes of Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia at his disposal, so the need for a winger may not be a top priority as Diego Carlos' injury has exposed his defensive line, whilst another central midfielder wouldn't go amiss either.

Only time will tell if Villa will add a sixth signing or more before 11pm on September 1st.

AND in other news, Gerrard could land the next Van Dijk in Villa swoop for “composed” £20k-pw “colossus”...