Aston Villa hold discussions to sign Brazil star this week as Emery told price

Aston Villa have held discussions to sign a Brazil international this week after a ‘surprise’ development.

Aston Villa prepare for Tottenham after Nottingham Forest disappointment

Villa’s Europa League campaign took a hit in midweek as they slipped to a damaging defeat against Nottingham Forest, a result that has raised fresh questions at a crucial stage of the season.

With momentum stalling at the wrong time, attention now quickly turns to Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham — a fixture that could shape both their domestic ambitions and overall mood heading into the final weeks.

Unai Emery’s side have shown resilience across the campaign, but the loss to Forest exposed some familiar issues.

There were moments of control, but also a lack of cutting edge when it mattered most.

Against Tottenham, Villa will need a sharper edge, particularly with the race for European places still tight and Spurs fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.

A response is required, not just in terms of result, but also a convincing performance.

Emery suggested last weekend that Amadou Onana was a doubt for Tottenham, and now the Spaniard has confirmed that he definitely won’t be taking part on Sunday.

The Belgian and Boubacar Kamara are Villa’s only absentees, with Ross Barkley and Alysson both readily available after missing the trip to Forest.

While the focus remains on getting back on track on the pitch, work off it is already gathering pace.

Plans for the summer are well underway, and strengthening the midfield appears to be a priority.

Aston Villa hold discussions to sign Galatasaray star Gabriel Sara

That has led Villa towards Gabriel Sara, with TUTTOmercatoWEB indicating that discussions have taken place over a potential move.

The Brazilian, currently with Galatasaray, is attracting growing interest after an impressive season in Turkey.

Villa are understood to have made contact in recent days to explore the conditions of a deal, signalling serious intent ahead of the transfer window.

The club have been tracking Sara’s progress for some time, and those initial talks suggest they are now stepping up their pursuit.

Sara, 26, has been a key figure for Galatasaray this season.

Across all competitions, he has featured 42 times whilst making 11 goal contributions, underlining his influence in midfield. His ability to operate in multiple roles — either deeper or further forward — adds to his appeal, offering flexibility that suits Emery’s tactical approach.

The ex-Norwich City star was rewarded for his fine form with a call-up to the Brazil national team in March, with the player himself calling it a ‘huge surprise‘.

Galatasaray are believed to value the midfielder at around £26m, a figure that reflects both his performances and the level of competition for his signature.

Villa, however, are not thought to be deterred by that valuation, especially given their ambition to continue building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

There is also strong interest from elsewhere.

Several Premier League sides, along with clubs across Europe, are monitoring Sara’s situation, meaning Villa would likely face a battle to get the deal done.

That level of competition highlights just how highly he is rated after his performances this season.

His previous experience in English football with Norwich also reduces the risk associated with adaptation, something clubs often factor into recruitment decisions.

With Villa balancing European commitments and league objectives, planning ahead is key. Identifying targets early allows the club to move quickly once the window opens, particularly in a competitive market.

Of course, nothing is decided yet.

Initial discussions are just the first step, and much will depend on how negotiations develop in the coming weeks. But the intent is clear — Villa are looking to strengthen, and Sara is firmly on their radar.