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Football

12th Aug 2020

Watford name asking price for Liverpool target Ismaila Sarr

Watford have named a £40m asking price for winger Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Crystal Palace

Reuben Pinder

Liverpool are keen to sign the man who ended their unbeaten run

Watford will demand a £40m fee for Ismaila Sarr, with numerous clubs including Liverpool interested in signing the winger, according to the Evening Standard.

Sarr played a key role in ending Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the 2019/20 season, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win at Vicarage Road. And following Watford’s relegation to the Championship, Sarr looks set to leave after just one season in Hertfordshire.

Watford paid £30m for the Senegalese forward last summer from Rennes, and are looking to make a profit on the 22-year-old after an impressive debut season in England.

Crystal Palace and Wolves are also understood to be tracking Sarr, though in Palace’s case, any move would depend on Wilfried Zaha leaving, which looks increasingly unlikely.

Sarr is understood to be keen to sign for Liverpool so he can play with his hero, Sadio Mané. But Jurgen Klopp will face competition for his signature, with clubs in Germany and Spain reportedly interested too.

The Reds would also have to generate some funds if they are to meet Watford’s asking price, by selling fringe players like Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Watford owner Gino Pozzo is a stubborn negotiator and while every club’s finances have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, he is in no rush to flog players for less than their worth.

Sarr’s Watford teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure is also likely to be snapped up by a Premier League side this summer, which could see the Hornets bring in more than £50m for the pair.