According to the Telegraph, Crystal Palace have made another approach for Aston Villa target Ismaila Sarr ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline.
What’s the story?
Well, the £71,000-a-week man saw a move to Villa Park collapse a few weeks ago, although Steven Gerrard has now resurrected his interest in the Senegal international.
However, the Telegraph (live blog – 11:41am) believe Watford have rebuffed approaches from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, as the Hornets have no intention of selling their No.23 so late in the window with little time to find a replacement.
The same goes for Joao Pedro, who has been the subject of late interest from Everton.
Watford have already lost a key attacker this summer in Emmanuel Dennis – who joined Nottingham Forest – so Rob Edwards is desperate to keep the rest of his frontline intact.
Newcastle have also made another late move for Pedro after seeing a deal for the Brazilian collapse earlier in the transfer window.
Sarr has started the 2022/23 campaign on fire for Watford, scoring two goals in five Championship appearances, including a phenomenal strike from inside his own half in the 1-1 draw against West Brom.
Crystal Palace have a long-standing interest in the 24-year-old. The south Londoners tried to sign him from Rennes before his £30m move to Watford, and also saw a £25m bid rejected in 2020 after the Hornets were relegated.
Crystal Palace & Aston Villa must move on
On the basis of reports from Vicarage Road in recent weeks, Watford have no intention of selling Sarr, so we believe Patrick Vieira and Gerrard need to move on.
Only an irresistible offer would tempt the Hornets into selling at this stage, and that isn’t worth doing for Crystal Palace or Aston Villa seeing as the forward will only have 12 months left on his contract next summer.
Therefore, it is worth waiting, as Sarr will be significantly cheaper in 2023 and could even push for an exit if Watford fail to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
Keep an eye on developments throughout the day, as the Eagles and the Villans clearly want another forward.
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