Liverpool, Manchester United Neck-And-Neck In Race To Sign $46M Forward: Reports

Liverpool FC and Manchester United reportedly are set to compete in the race to acquire the signatures of Watford winger Ismaïla Sarr.

Daily Mail's Dominic King Thursday reported, quoting unnamed sources, that Liverpool have contacted Watford regarding Sarr's transfer as The Reds see the 22-year-old as a fitting back-up for the club's front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino. International Business Times could not independently verify the information.

The English journalist also mentioned that even though Liverpool are yet to make an official bid for Sarr, the Premier League champions may have to pay $46 million or more. Jurgen Klopp's side has signed just one more player this summer – Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas. It was earlier reported that The Reds have agreed to pay $35 million for Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara. An official announcement is yet to be made.

Dortmund star Jadon Sancho remains Manchester United's top target this summer. Ever since The Red Devils missed Dortmund's Aug. 10 deadline to seal Sancho's transfer, there have been many obstacles in the Englishman's move to Old Trafford and there is doubt if it will be done in the coming weeks. The ongoing summer transfer window is due to end on Oct. 5.

Unnamed sources told the Independent's chief soccer writer Miguel Delaney that Man Utd have identified Watford’s Sarr as one of the alternative signings if Sancho's deal fails.

Sarr was among the few players from the Watford camp to have impressed last season, having scored six goals in as many as 30 competitive matches.

Watford sighed Sarr from French club Rennes for $38 million in 2019. While Watford would like to retain its man for the 2020-21 season, it won't hesitate to part ways with him if it receives the right price.

Nothing has gone as per plan for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. The club is trying everything possible to bring Sancho to Old Trafford. Man Utd's star midfielder Paul Pogba recently contracted coronavirus. The club has been in news for wrong seasons, courtesy of Harry Maguire's brawl in Greece, and Mason Greenwood breaching the COVID rules when he was on international duty with England during the UEFA Nations League.

Recently, it was reported that Man Utd were looking at Real Madrid's Gareth Bale as Sancho's alternative. That move failed too as the talented Welshman decided to return to Tottenham.

Solskjaer's side played one club-friendly, which was against rivals Aston Villa last week, and The Red Devils ended up losing 1-0. Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish, who had been one of Man Utd's top targets this summer, recently signed a new five-year deal with his boyhood club.