Aston Villa are reportedly in the race to sign Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy, according to recent reports. Unai Emery is said to be hopeful of landing the highly-rated 18-year-old ahead of competition from Manchester City according to Caught Offside.

Kilicsoy’s Potential

The young Turkish forward has drawn comparisons to Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and is seen as a future star. Despite having four years remaining on his contract with Besiktas, there is optimism that a deal could be reached this summer.

READ: Who is Arda Guler? The 18-year-old ‘Turkish Messi’ Wanted by Europe’s Biggest Clubs

Villa’s Offer

To tempt Besiktas, Villa have reportedly tabled a player-plus-cash offer. Full-back Alex Moreno is said to be part of the deal, along with a £15 million fee.

Moreno’s Future Uncertain

Moreno has been linked with a move away from Villa Park for some time, and with Lucas Digne also potentially departing, Emery faces a decision at left-back. It’s likely that one of them will stay, with Digne currently appearing the favourite.

Kilicsoy’s Impressive Start

Since breaking into the Besiktas first team last year, Kilicsoy has impressed, scoring 12 goals and registering 3 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

Transfer Battle Looms

Aston Villa’s offer highlights their ambition to secure Kilicsoy’s signature, but they face a significant challenge from Manchester City. The coming weeks will reveal if their strategy proves successful.