Liverpool have made inquiries from Watford about Senegalese winger Ismaila Sir as the Reds consider the possibility of bringing him in as back-up to their current front three.
Sarr has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time and was a pain when Watford were the first club to beat the Reds in the Premier League last season – scoring twice and setting up the third as the Hornets Rumbled in a 3-0 victory. .
Sarr scores twice against Liverpool in February / Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
Liverpool were reported to have made initial contact with Sarr’s representatives in early August, apparently courting the player and establishing whether he was interested in a switch to Anfield.
The Premier League champions have continued to increase their interest in the 22-year-old, an international teammate of Sadio Mane, in the weeks since.
Speaking in late August, Liverpool journalist Paul Gorst explained, “I was told recently that Ismaila Sir is definitely being looked at. It remains to be seen whether this is formal. Turns into bidding but Liverpool like him. He has the right type of profile and has a high ceiling for improvement.
Now, it seems as though the Reds have taken their interest a step further, with the Daily Mail reporting that contact has been made with Watford and an enquiry.
Liverpool have asked Watford/Michael Regan/Getty Images about signing Sarr.
While there is no formal bid at this stage, it is an important step as Liverpool, who are said to be ‘seriously considering’ Sarr, assess whether the Championship The team is really willing to sell, how much and what kind of payment structure will there be? considered acceptable.
Watford are said to want at least £36m for Sarr, a player who was valued at £30m last year alone. Crucially, it’s down from the £40m they valued it at a month ago.
At a time when finances are tight, Liverpool have agreed a £25m deal with Bayern Munich for Thiago Alcantara, of which £20m is guaranteed. However, the cost is expected to be spread over the length of the player’s four-year contract, making it only a minimal expense per year.
Sarr himself is open to a move on from Watford if the opportunity presents itself and was glowing in his praise of Liverpool when asked about his future last month.
“Liverpool is a really great team, everyone would love to play there. They won the Premier League this year and the Champions League last year,” he said.
“Maybe if Watford release me one day I can go and play for a bigger team. Go somewhere else and show my skills and then win trophies.”
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