Aston Villa ‘really interested’ in signing £22m striker as former club advisor speaks out

If you’re hoping to avoid putting pressure on a young player, comparing the Aston Villa target to Premier League icon Sergio Aguero in the following sentence will likely have the opposite effect.

However, it must be said, this teenage sensation is not shy about drawing comparisons to the Manchester City legend himself.

Semih Kilicsoy, by his own admission, considers Sergio Agüero to be a sort of inspiration.

And, while a tally of just one goal in 12 Turkish Super Lig games for Besiktas in 2024/25 doesn’t really show it, Kilicsoy’s often lethal finishing with both feet certainly has the shades of a young Agüero in colors of Atletico Madrid.

TBR reported last week that Aston Villa had targeted Besiktas prodigy Semih Kilicsoy as a potential January signing.

Reportedly valued at £22m despite turning just 19 over the summer, the new Turkey international is open to a mid-season move to the Premier League.

Photo by Manuel Eletto – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Brad Friedel admits Aston Villa to Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy

Kilicsoy’s agent confirmed interest from Arsenal and Manchester City a few months ago, alongside Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and German champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Aston Villa will therefore not lack competition.

But the Midland giants could have a trick up their sleeve in the person of a certain Brad Friedel. The former Aston Villa goalkeeper retains some contacts at his old stomping grounds.

And, having worked as an advisor to the Besiktas management until the end of November, Villa could consider exploiting Friedel’s knowledge of Kilicsoy’s situation.

Friedel now admits Aston Villa also wanted Kilicsoy this summer. That was before these Financial Fair Play limitations kept Unai Emery’s side at bay.

“I have acquaintances at Aston Villa. I know they were really interested,” says Friedel. “But financial fair play is really difficult there. It’s not like I was offered something and turned it down!

“If Semih had the chance to leave Besiktas in a way that would make him happy, the fans would have wished him success. I say this from my experience at Aston Villa; it’s a big club.

“If (a move to Villa Park) happens in the future, I will be very happy.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhfkUJYYJpU

Friedel discusses comparisons of Kilicsoy with Sergio Agüero

Kilicsoy burst onto the scene last season with 11 goals in just 20 Super Lig starts. So while 2024/25 should be the campaign in which he took his game to another level, the lack of regular minutes given to him by Giovanni van Bronckhorst has quickly become a source of much debate in Istanbul.

Alongside Friedel, Van Bronckhorst left the Vodafone Arena a few days ago.

“Ask Gio why Semih didn’t play,” Friedel responds.

“I like him a lot. We had a very good relationship. I don’t want to put pressure on him (but) he has a structure like Sergio Agüero. I think he will be very good in the future.

TBR understands that in addition to Kilicsoy, Aston Villa are looking for Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena.

Osasuna’s sporting director, meanwhile, admitted last week to having held talks with Unai Emery over Aimar Oroz and Enzo Boyomo. The midfielder and centre-back would cost a combined £55m if their release clauses are met.