Aston Villa are preparing to begin formal negotiations with Galatasaray over the contract of Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sala as the Europa League winners prepare for a return to the Champions League.
According to a report in Turkish media outlet Sabah, the Clarets and Blues have been tracking Salah for a long time and are now ready to turn their attention into concrete action.
Villa are expected to sign a deal with Galatasaray in the coming days, with the Istanbul club willing to make a minimum offer. EUR35 million euros for the 26-year-old player.
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Gabriel Sala open to move to Aston Villa
The Brazil international reportedly responded positively to Villa’s interest. Sala has made no secret of his dual ambitions: securing a place in the Brazilian national team and establishing himself in the Premier League, and a move to Villa Park would certainly put both goals within reach.
According to reports in Sabah, the player has expressed his desire to move, and the transfer is expected to be completed if the clubs reach an agreement on the transfer fee.
Sala’s form for Galatasaray last season highlights why he is attracting interest from the top flight. He played in 42 games, scoring 6 goals and providing 5 assists, and was a dynamic presence in the center of midfield who could drive play forward and even arrive late in the box.
Spurs and Man United have also been linked with Salah.
Aston Villa are not the only English club to praise Sala’s qualities.
Tottenham and Manchester United have both been linked with the midfielder in recent months.
However, Villa appear to be ahead in this race, as Sala sees the club as the ideal starting point for the next chapter of his career.
As manager Unai Emery continues to build a squad that can compete on multiple fronts, strengthening the engine room with a technically gifted midfielder like Salah would be an important statement of intent ahead of what promises to be a landmark campaign for the club.
