In the summer transfer window of 2020, Manchester United were keen on signing Watford's Ismaila Sarr in order to improve their forward ranks.
Amid frustrations over their pursuit of Jadon Sancho with Borussia Dortmund standing firm on their £100million-plus valuation, a move to bring Sarr on loan for the season was explored.
According to Sarr's agent, Thierno Seydi, the deal eventually broke down over clauses that Watford insisted upon.
Fast forward to 2022 and the Senegalese goalscorer remains at Vicarage Road and is preparing to visit Old Trafford on Saturday in what will be an important fixture for both clubs' end-of-season ambitions at opposite ends of the table.
"During the summer, the Manchester club wanted to sign him," Seydi explained last year.
"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."
Since then, Sarr has scored 24 goals in 85 appearances for Watford.
This season, in a struggling side, Sarr has managed five goals in 15 appearances.
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