Besiktas set to accept Aston villa’s £22m bid to sign star striker Semih Kilicsoy – Brad Friedel confirms
Besiktas set to accept Aston villa’s £22m bid to sign star striker Semih Kilicsoy – Brad Friedel confirms
If you are hoping to avoid piling the pressure on a young player, then comparing the Aston Villa target to Premier League icon Sergio Aguero in the very next sentence is likely to have the opposite effect.
Though, it should be said, this teen sensation has few qualms about drawing comparisons himself with the Manchester City legend.
Semih Kilicsoy, by his own admission, views Sergio Aguero as something of an 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 off both feet certainly has shades of a young Aguero in Atletico Madrid colours.
TBR reported last week that Aston Villa had targeted Besiktas wonderkid Semih Kilicsoy as a potential January recruit.
Reportedly valued at £22 million despite only turning 19 over the summer, the fresh-faced Turkey international is open to a mid-season switch to the Premier League.
Brad Friedel admits Aston Villa like Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy
Kilicsoy’s agent confirmed Arsenal and Manchester City’s interest a few months ago, alongside Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Aston Villa, then, will not be short of competition.
But the Midland giants could have a trick up their sleeve in the shape of one Brad Friedel. The former Aston Villa goalkeeper retains a few contacts at his old stomping ground.
And, having worked as an advisor to Besiktas’ management until late-November, Friedel’s knowledge of the Kilicsoy situation is something Villa may look to tap into.
Friedel now admits that Aston Villa wanted Kilicsoy over the summer too. That was before those Financial Fair Play limitations kept Unai Emery’s team at arms’ length.
“I have acquaintances at Aston Villa. I know they were really interested,” Friedel explains. “But Financial Fair Play is really hard there. It wasn’t like I was offered something and I 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’m saying this from my experience at Aston Villa; it is a great club.
“If [a move to Villa Park] happens in the future, I will be very happy.”
Friedel talks up Kilicsoy’s Sergio Aguero comparisons
Kilicsoy burst onto the scene last season with 11 goals in just 20 Super Lig starts. So, with 2024/25 expected to be the campaign in which he took his game to another level, the lack of regular minutes afforded to him by Giovanni van Bronckhorst quickly became 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 hits back.
“I like him very much. We had a very good relationship. I don’t want to put pressure on him [but] he has a structure like Sergio Aguero. I think he will be very good in the future.”
TBR understands that, in addition to Kilicsoy, Aston Villa are scouting Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena.
Osasuna’s sporting director, meanwhile, admitted last week that he has held talks with Unai Emery over Aimar Oroz and Enzo Boyomo. The midfielder and the centre-half would cost a combined £55 million if their release clauses are met.
Leave a Reply