Date published: Wednesday 11th August 2021 10:45 – Will Ford
Tottenham are reportedly ‘working on’ a move for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.
Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to add to his attacking resources ahead of the new season.
The club have already brought Bryan Gil in from Sevilla – who we’re giddy to see – and reportedly struck a deal with Inter Milan for Lautaro Martinez, only for that deal to be blocked by Chelsea’s chase of Romelu Lukaku.
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Doubt remains over the future of talismanic striker Harry Kane, though there is a thought he may now sign a new contract, and even if he stays, Spurs are keen to bolster their squad to make a push for the top four.
The Express claims Spurs would ideally like to add another defender, a central midfielder and a striker to their ranks before the transfer window closes.
But Eurosport claim they are also targeting a winger – specifically, Senegal international Sarr.
Sarr was previously thought to be close to a move to both Liverpool and Manchester United, but interest from that pair has waned.
Which gives Spurs a free run at the 23-year-old, though Watford’s £50million valuation will be way above what the north London club are willing to offer.
Sarr was relegated from the Premier League in his first season in English football following his £20million switch from Rennes, but helped the Hornets to promotion at the first time of asking with 13 Championship goals last term.
But Filippo Girardi, Watford’s technical director, revealed just how close Sarr was to leaving last summer.
“We were extremely close, I was personally negotiating with them [Manchester United],” Girardi told Fabrizio Romano on the Here We Go podcast.
“We weren’t able to reach an agreement. Ismaila is still very young, he will arrive [in the Premier League] for sure.
“He missed probably an opportunity, but I think also for his football to stay here and get 10 goals and 10 assists, he’s deciding the league.
“I think for Watford in the condition they are at the moment it’s lucky he stayed.”
Liverpool also held formal discussions over Sarr, who is close friends with Sadio Mane, but instead decided to pursue Diogo Jota.