Watford will reportedly not sell Ismaila Sarr this summer amid links with Crystal Palace, Everton and Manchester United.
According to a report from Daily Mirror, Aston Villa had a £30 million offer accepted for Ismaila Sarr, but the Hornets decided to turn down the bid eventually, and they are now refusing to let the player leave before the summer transfer window closes. Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Everton and Aston Villa are all keeping tabs on the 24-year-old’s situation.
The West Midlands club came close to signing him earlier this summer after agreeing to a deal with Watford. The report further states that Sarr could be offered a new contract at the club after he indicated that he is ready to fight for promotion with the EFL Championship outfit this season.
The 24-year-old has been a key player for Watford since joining the club, and his departure would have been a major blow for them. Watford will be hoping to return to the Premier League as soon as possible, and they need to hold on to players like Sarr in order for that to happen.
The Hornets recently sold Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest, and it seems that they are not in need of funds anymore and can afford to hold on to a key player beyond the summer. The development will come as a blow for clubs like Everton, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, who were in need of attacking reinforcements.
Furthermore, Manchester United could use some depth in the final third as well, and Sarr would have been a useful option for Erik ten Hag. It remains to be seen whether the 24-year-old commits his long-term future to Watford in the coming weeks now.
A player of Sarr’s calibre deserves to play in the Premier League, and it is fair to assume that he will look to move on if the Hornets do not manage to return to the top flight at the end of this season. The talented attacker scored five goals in 22 Premier League appearances for Watford last season, and he has one goal to his name in three appearances across all competitions so far this season.
