Leeds United are reportedly interested in a move for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, according to Foot Mercato. They claim that the Whites have drawn up a shortlist of three names which also includes PSV’s Cody Gakpo and Rennes’ Martin Terrier to replace Raphinha.
Of course, Leeds have already brought in a new winger this summer, snapping up Colombian international winger Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord. Whether Leeds make a move for another one remains to be seen, though they are keen on bolstering their attacking options and have just lost out on versatile forward Charles de Ketelaere to AC Milan.
It had looked highly likely that Sarr would leave Watford this summer following their relegation back to the Championship. However, no move has yet materialised with some reports indicating that the Hornets’ high valuation has put off potential suitors.
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We do know, though, that Leeds have cash to spend this month given how much they were willing to spend on de Ketelaere. So, with that in mind her is everything you need to know on Watford’s star man Sarr.
What has he done so far?
After arriving at French side Rennes from FC Metz in July 2017, Sarr went onto establish himself as one of the brightest young talents in Ligue 1. His final season at the club saw him score 13 goals and provide 11 assists in all competitions, which earned him a £30 million move to then Premier League side Watford.
Sarr was seen as quite a coup for a club of Watford’s size. On a personal level, he enjoyed a decent first year at the Hornets as he scored five goals and registered six assists in the league, though he could not stop them from being relegated to the Championship.
Despite interest from elsewhere, Sarr stayed at Watford after their relegation and it became quite clear he was playing beyond his level as he netted 13 times, while also providing 11 assists as Xisco Munoz’s side were promoted immediately back to the Premier League.
Sarr struggled with injuries throughout last season but still managed to find the back of the net five times in the league as Watford flopped to another relegation. Whether he is up for another year in the Championship remains to be seen.
Why would Leeds want him?
With Raphinha more of a right winger and Sinisterra’s preferred position on the left, Sarr would provide Leeds with another option in the Brazilian’s absence. Sarr is quick and direct winger, whose end product can sometimes be hit or miss.
That said, Sarr has produced some impressive numbers down the years and Leeds will be eager to replace the goals left by Raphinha, who was the only player to hit double figures last season. The 24-year-old would provide real quality and depth in Jesse Marsch’s attacking options.
What has been said about him?
Back in 2019 ahead of a meeting between Watford and Liverpool, Sadio Mane sent a message to his teammate Andy Robertson about how good Sarr is. He said: “He’s rapid. I think defenders will struggle. Last time I was speaking to Robbo [Andy Robertson] I said ‘Watford have a really good player. I will need to help you more otherwise Ismaila Sarr will kill you, because he is a good dribbler and very, very fast.”
Former Watford teammate Ben Foster spoke about the talent Sarr possesses earlier this year. He said: "It's scary, isn't it, really? It's almost like everything seems to just be off the cuff. Every single time he gets the ball, even he doesn't know what he's going to do, but it will end up being good either way.
"Once he can start to really drill down on what he knows he can do, yeah, the world is his oyster. Honestly, like I say, the speed and the awareness, the touch, the precision, he's got all of it. He just now needs all of it to connect and be in control of it too.
"He is a bit of a freak, honestly he is. I still don't think people understand quite how quick Ismaila Sarr is. His acceleration off from a standing start is like nothing I've ever seen before. And genuinely, I'm being genuine there, I've never seen anybody accelerate from a standing start as quick as what he does.”
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