Among the myriad of names being linked with a summer move to Manchester United, Ismaila Sarr is perhaps one who hasn't been subject to the negative headlines that others have attracted.
Reports suggest a big reason why United's hierarchy opted against a move for Bologna's Marko Arnautovic was because of the dismay and unhappiness aired by several formed United players as well as supporters.
United are desperate for reinforcements in the forward area, with Edinson Cavani having left the club and Anthony Martial injured. Add in the uncertainty over star man Cristiano Ronaldo's future and it means new boss Erik ten Hag is in dire need of more firepower. That much was evident in his first game in charge, a chastening defeat at home to Brighton last Sunday.
Sarr would be a left-field choice, given he was part of the Watford team that suffered a second Premier League relegation in the space of three seasons last term.
Nevertheless, the Senegal international has made a bright start as the Hornets adapt to life back in the Championship. He registered an assist in the opening day win over Sheffield United before a simply stunning goal in the 1-1 draw with West Brom on Monday night.
Sarr hit the headlines with an audacious effort from inside his own half. That only intensified the rumours linking him with a late summer move to Old Trafford.
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If that proves to be the case and United re-visit their interest in the 24-year-old, it will reopen old wounds. That's because Sarr was linked with a move to Manchester two summers ago only for the deal to fall through, with his agent Thierno Seydi later claiming United only wanted him on loan and did not want to insert an option to buy him. Watford, as they are now, were a Championship side at the time.
Seydi said at the time: "During the summer, the Manchester club wanted to sign him. At the last moment, they offered a loan without an option, which Watford didn’t accept because the loan was expected to be accompanied by an option with right of first refusal for the Manchester club."
Seydi also claimed that Sarr was close to joining Liverpool in the January transfer window, but that the Anfield club could not afford Watford's asking price.
He added: "With Liverpool, a few days ago, we were at the stage of signing the contract. Everything was sorted: the monthly wages and the length of the deal. I’d even asked Sadio Mane to find him an apartment. But it in the end, they weren’t able to put the €40 million on the table to finalise the deal. You have to say that if English clubs that once animated the transfer window are struggling to put funds together, that shows the depth of the crisis affecting football."
Sarr's contract at Watford runs until the summer of 2024.
