Crystal Palace could make a club record £30 million bid for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr before Friday’s transfer deadline, according to the Sun (12 October, page 61).
A few months ago, when the speedy Senegal international was first linked with a move to Selhurst Park, the assumption was that Sarr would be stepping into a Wilf Zaha-shaped void on the left-hand side of Roy Hodgson’s forward line.
His arrival, then, would have left a rather bittersweet feeling in the mouths of the South London fan base.
With the Palace academy graduate now guaranteed to spend at least another three months in red and blue, there is a tantalising prospect of Sarr and Zaha forming a fearsome partnership at a club not exactly renowned for their thrilling attacking football.
The Sun reports that Crystal Palace, after seemingly cooling their interest in Brentford’s Said Benrahma, could make a club-record offer in the region of £30 million for Sarr before the window slams shut on Friday.
Manchester United had shown an interest in a man who famously dismantled Liverpool’s usually impenetrable back line during last season’s stunning 3-0 win at Vicarage Road. But now appear destined to play the long game with Jadon Sancho instead.
Liverpool themselves, meanwhile, brought in Diogo Jota from Wolves.
Even £30 million might not be enough to tempt Watford into a sale, however. The Hornets want a big profit on a player they brought in from Rennes last year and want closer to £40 million (Liverpool Echo).
Steve Parish’s pockets might be deeper than yours or mine, but there is hardly an endless supply of cash at Selhurst Park.
If £30 million is just about affordable, £40 million is certainly a stretch.
Crystal Palace’s record signings
- Christian Benteke – £27 million
2016
- Mamadou Sakho – £22 million
2017
- Eberechi Eze – £19.5 million
2020
- Patrick van Aanholt – £14 million
2017
- Andros Townsend – £13 million
2016
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