Everton have been discouraged by Watford's asking price for star forward Ismaila Sarr, according to reports.
The Senegalese international is currently plying his trade in the Championship following the Hornets' relegation last season, but has just appeared at the World Cup in Qatar for his country, where they were eliminated 3-0 by England in the Round of 16.
Frank Lampard will be keen to improve his attacking options for the second half of the season and Sarr is reportedly eager on a move back to the Premier League next month. However, Italian outlet Tutto Udinese have suggested that the Blues have been scared off after a £35million price tag was reportedly put on the 24-year-old.
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The report claims that both Everton and Tottenham have shown interest in Sarr but if a Premier League move fails to materialise, Udinese could make a move to bring him to Serie A.
Watford boss Slaven Bilic was left to face the media on Saturday after Sarr failed to return to the club in time for Watford's 0-0 draw with Hull City at Vicarage Road on Sunday. After the match, he told the Watford Observer : “I don’t really want to say much more. We expected him back yesterday and I hoped he would be involved today. Of course, we miss Sarr. If had been here yesterday, of course, I would have played him. He didn’t come, he wasn’t at training yesterday, so he was out. From then on, I was totally concentrated on the game.
“I hoped he would be here, he wasn’t here, so that’s it. Of course, I expect him back this week. I expected him back even earlier. I know it is a very interesting story for the media, but I said what I said already. I don’t want to say anymore.”
Despite Bilic's comments, a fresh report in The Athletic on Tuesday says that Sarr had been granted extra leave after the World Cup by Watford and has now returned to Vicarage Road.
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