Newcastle United are again exploring a deal to take Ismaila Sarr to St James’ Park, with The Sun reporting the winger is almost certain to leave Watford in the next transfer window.
Sarr has been one of the rare bright sparks at Vicarage Road this season whilst the Hornets fight for survival. Even though the 24-year-old has also missed 13 Premier League matches, having so far spent time on the sidelines following a knee ligament and hamstring injuries.
The forward’s latest issue kept him from Watford’s last three fixtures, but is likely to return after the international break. The Hornets have so far only won once without Sarr available this season, after taking a 2-1 win at Southampton in their last match following 10 defeats.
Nonetheless, and despite also helping Senegal lift the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Sarr has offered Watford five goals and an assist in the £40m star’s 16 appearances this season.
Roy Hodgson will hope to see Sarr now return from injury when the Hertfordshire side visit Liverpool on Saturday. But even the Hornets avoiding relegation is unlikely to prevent Sarr from chasing a route away from the club when the market opens at the end of the season.
Newcastle set sights on Watford raid with Ismaila Sarr likely to leave in summer
Newcastle are alert to Sarr’s situation at Watford with the winger likely to target a transfer away this summer. Liverpool are also keen, with Corriere dello Sport citing the Anfield side and AC Milan as options whilst quoting his agent recently confirming to Afrique Sports Tv:
“Ismaila has many chances to leave in the summer regardless of how the season ends. This is what we have planned.”
Sarr has been on Newcastle’s radar since before the recent January transfer market, as the Saudi Public Investment Fund sought instant upgrades after their takeover. The Daily Mail reported in October that PIF eyed him as an early target, but the Hornets refused to sell.
The Hornets will be loath to cash in this summer, but the forward may force his exit in the off-season. Sarr, who Watford teammate Ben Foster calls ‘frightening’, is also entering the final two years of his £63k-a-week contract as Newcastle now target his potential transfer.
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