Watford To Demand More Than $52M For Forward, Who Is Liverpool’s Target: Report

Watford reportedly are planning to demand a huge sum for Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with a move to Liverpool FC this summer.

Sarr moved from French club Rennes to Watford ahead of the 2019-20 season and was impressive in his maiden appearance in England. He scored six goals in 30 competitive matches including five in the Premier League. While Watford have been relegated to the Championship, the second-tier league in English soccer, Sarr has attracted interest from various European clubs.

Liverpool are expected to have competition from the likes of Crystal Palace, Wolves, and a few top clubs in Spain and Germany in the race to sign Sarr in the ongoing transfer market.

According to soccer news website Goal, Watford are aiming to sell Sarr in excess to a record $52 million Everton paid them for Brazilian Richarlison in 2018.

Watford signed Sarr from Rennes for $39 million last summer and the English club believes the value of the forward has increased in just one year. Also, Watford are in a stronger position, considering the Senegal national still has four years left in his current deal with the English club.

It is understood that even though Crystal Palace scouted Sarr while he was with Rennes, they could back out of the race because of Watford’s high demands.

The 22-year-old winger is expected to fit well in Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Apart from that, a move to Anfield would mean, he would get to play alongside his national hero Sadio Mane, who has been a star player for Liverpool under Klopp’s reign.

Sarr and Mane were a part of the same academy in Senegal. The Watford forward has revealed a number of times that he often watches videos of Mane on YouTube before matches.

However, Liverpool have made it clear that they are in not a position to make expensive signings this summer amid the pandemic. If Watford does not reduce the price for Sarr, Liverpool could sign Brazil’s wonderkid Talles Magno, who currently plays for Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

Even though Vasco da Gama value Magno as high as $56 million, it is expected to accept Liverpool’s bid of $23 million due to their current financial crisis.