Crystal Palace told they must pay club-record fee to sign Ismaila Sarr as Watford hold firm over star winger

Simon Collings
·1 min read
Ismaila Sarr is wanted by Crystal Palace (Getty Images)
Ismaila Sarr is wanted by Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

Crystal Palace face having to break their transfer record to sign Ismaila Sarr from Watford.

Palace have expressed an interest in signing the winger this summer and Watford are braced for a formal offer from the Eagles.

Watford paid £30million to sign Sarr from Rennes in 2019 and they will not accept less than that.

That would make the Senegal international the new record signing for Palace, whose current record in the £27m they paid to sign Christian Benteke from Liverpool in 2016.

Sarr has two years left on his contract at Watford and has so far not agitated for a move away.

Watford’s asking price for the 24-year-old could prove a stumbling block for Palace, but add-ons and future clauses could help them meet his valuation.

Palace have a long-term interest in Sarr and were competing with Watford to sign him three years ago. The Eagles also failed with a deadline-day bid of around £25m for him in the summer of 2020 after Watford had been relegated from the Premier League.

Palace have retained an interest in Sarr and now could be the moment that they finally get their man as Patrick Vieira bids to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

Sarr has shown flashes of his potential during that time at Watford. He is being monitored by other Premier League clubs, with Everton credited as having an interest.

The Toffees are currently trying to hold onto Anthony Gordon amid interest from Chelsea, and Sarr would represent a viable replacement if Gordon leaves.

Sarr missed Watford’s 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Tuesday night due to a hamstring injury but is expected to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Preston.

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