Victor Orta eyes Ismaila Sarr as Watford name prohibitive price, with two other attackers on wanted list - Team Talk 2/8/22
James Marshment
Leeds United are reportedly hot on the trail of Watford
winger Ismaila Sarr, with the player reportedly having had his head turned by
the Whites’ interest.
The Whites have been very active in the summer market,
making seven signings so far. Indeed, the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca,
Tyler Adams and Rasmus Kristensen can all expect to make their Premier League
debuts this weekend against Wolves. However, all those signings have been made
using the money made from the sales of Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
To that end, manager Jesse Marsch claims Leeds remain active
in the window and still hope to make more signings. Top of their wanted list
remains a new left-back. They will start the new season with centre-half Pascal
Struijk covering for the injured Junior Firpo.
They are also in the market for a new forward. The Whites
chased Charles De Ketelaere long and hard before ultimately missing out to
Milan. On that subject, the Belgian is likely to secure his move to the San
Siro in the next 24 hours.
However, Leeds are refusing to be downhearted and are
quickly moving on to other potential options. To that end, the likes of Arnaud
Kalimuendo remains an option, despite another Italian powerhouse looking to
muscle in on the deal.
Now, though, reports in France claim Watford winger Sarr is
fast becoming an option for Leeds. The Senegalese winger has been linked with a
move to Liverpool and Manchester United in the past.
Indeed, he was a player Jurgen Klopp seriously looked at
before instead signing Diogo Jota in 2020.
However, he could finally be on the move to Leeds United if
Foot Mercato are proved correct.
They claim he is fast emerging as a top target for Leeds
United director of football Victor Orta. And aware of the Whites’ interest, the
24-year-old is seemingly keen to move north to Elland Road.
As a result, Watford are reportedly valuing Ismaila Sarr at
around £29.3m (€35m) in light of Leeds’ interest. The Hornets would be unlikely
to stand in his way were their asking price be met, given Sarr is reportedly
unhappy at the prospect of Championship football.
The forward was unable to prevent Watford slipping back into
the second tier last season. He scored five goals and added two assists in
2021/22 as the Hertfordshire side finished 19th.
That’s not that great a record, though he does boast 24
goals in 93 appearances for the club overall.
Sarr has two years left on the five-year deal he signed at
Vicarage Road upon joining from Rennes in 2019.
As such, Watford know this summer represents their prime
chance to cash in on the 47-times capped Senegal star.
Per Foot Mercato, Leeds remain on the trail of two other
attacking targets this summer.
And they suggest both Martin Terrier and Cody Gakpo are also
in Orta’s sights. Both names will be familar to Leeds fans.
In fact, both players have been strongly linked with moves
to Elland Road this summer already.
Terrier enjoyed an excellent season last time with Rennes.
Rated at a huge £34m (€40m), he snared 21 goals and three assists from 46
appearances.
That tally ensured he was third only behind Kylian Mbappe
and Wissam Ben Yedder in the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts.
Gakpo, meanwhile, is another name Leeds have looked long and
hard at this summer. Their interest in him dates from the before the Raphinha
transfer went through.
Boasting a phenomenal record in the Netherlands, he struck
21 goals and laid on 15 assists on his way to being named Eredivise Player of
the Season.
Interest in all three players will undoubtedly increase
speculation that Leeds United may well be ready to offload Jack Harrison.
The Leeds winger has been the subject of strong interest
from Newcastle this summer, with the Magpies seeing a £33.5m offer knocked
back.
Not to be deterred, however, Newcastle are reportedly ready
to raise their bid again in light of Leeds reportedly naming their price.
