According to Calciomercato, Liverpool will have to pay €50m (42m) to sign Ismaila Sarr from Watford, with Newcastle also interested.
What’s the story?
Well, Liverpool face competition from Newcastle in the race to sign Sarr, which is a potential issue following their Saudi Arabian takeover.
The Magpies are now among Europe’s richest clubs, and could easily afford to pay Watford’s asking price for the Senegal international.
Interestingly, that figure will drop if Watford are relegated to the Championship, which currently looks quite likely to happen.
The Hornets are 19th in the Premier League, three points off 17th-placed Everton.
So far this season, the 24-year-old has scored five goals in 17 Premier League appearances, while also providing one assist.
He also scored one and assisted another in three games at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, helping Senegal win the trophy.
Sarr is arguably one of the best players outside of the top six, and whoever signs him this summer will be getting a dangerous attacking threat.
Liverpool & Newcastle handed boost
In addition to Calciomercato‘s update, Sarr’s agent – Thierno Seydi – revealed that Watford have agreed to sell their No.23 for the right price.
Speaking to APS, Seydi said: “We have a good exit plan. In Watford’s strategy, if the offer is attractive, nothing will prevent him from leaving but where he will go, only the future will tell us. At this precise moment, there are rumours, interest, but really nothing concrete.”
Therefore, even if Watford manage to stay in the Premier League, it seems Sarr already has an agreement with the Hornets about a departure.
By all accounts, the former Rennes winger is playing his final games for Watford, with a transfer now very likely.
Keep an eye on this saga, as Sarr would be a fantastic signing for Liverpool or Newcastle.
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