Watford slap massive price tag on Ismaila Sarr despite relegation

Watford have reportedly slapped a £40m price tag on Ismaila Sarr as they look to ward off suitors who will be able to offer him Premier League football.

Sarr caught the eye the last time that Watford were relegated, and there were suggestions that a move to Liverpool was on the cards, but such a transfer never materialised for the Senegalese wide-man.

Instead, he spent 2020-21 back in the Championship, racking up 13 goals and 10 assists in the process, helping the Hornets back into the top flight at the first time of asking.

And his return to the Premier League has since proven a mixed one, with injury restricting Sarr to just 21 appearances, which have yielded 5 goals and 2 assists as Watford look condemned to relegation.

With four games to go, they need four wins and for none of the sides above them to pick up a point in order to survive. Alternatively, the Hornets will officially be relegated should they lose against Roy Hodgson's former side, Crystal Palace, on Saturday.

Sarr free to leave, at hefty cost

For Sarr, a chance to stay in the Premier League could arise, but only if interested clubs are willing to stump up around £40m for his services, according to a report by Footballtransfers.

This comes amid interest from newly-rich Newcastle United, who are keen to strengthen their squad this summer after a remarkable recovery since January, when they sat in the relegation zone alongside Watford.

Sarr, still only 24, could prove a shrewd pickup for Eddie Howe and co, and would offer another wide outlet to complement Allan Saint-Maximin, though the price may be too steep even for the richest club in the world.

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