Watford’s relegation is sure to see them lose a number of their first-team stars this transfer window and one player now attracting interest from Crystal Palace in the top flight is winger Ismaila Sarr.
English media outfit The Sun claims that Palace see the Watford winger as a potential replacement for Wilfried Zaha, who might be on his way out of the club before the start of the next season.
Palace are also looking at Bournemouth’s David Brooks and Dwight McNeil for this role but can Ismaila Sarr replace Zaha?
Ismaila Sarr And His Numbers
A transfer target for the London club even last summer, Sarr moved to Watford from French side Rennes just a year ago and put in decent numbers, considering the club he played for battled relegation all season.
Ismaila Sarr was used mainly on the right-wing, making 22 league starts for the Hornets. He did register five goals and four assists in his first season on English soil but did not do enough to keep the club in the top flight.
He is also a regular in the Senegalese national side, registering four goals in 26 games and at just 22, is certainly an exciting prospect, who does not belong in the Championship.
Ismaila Sarr: Can he replace Zaha?
Quick and tricky, Sarr is a hard man to mark on the wings. The natural skill that Zaha possesses is almost irreplaceable but Sarr does have his own qualities that will certainly help Palace cushion the blow from the likely departure of Zaha.
Zaha was on the brink of leaving Selhurst Park last summer but none of his suitors was able to meet his valuation.
It could be a similar story this summer as well but Zaha’s dip in form might see Palace let him leave, but only if they find an able replacement.
This is where Sarr could do wonders for the London club.
The Daily Mail ran a report stating that Watford are not too confident of keeping the winger at the club beyond this summer.
So if rumours that Palace are ready to meet his £40m valuation are true, there is very little stopping Watford from letting Ismaila Sarr leave. Of course, this will only be the case if Palace sell Zaha, for the right price.
Sarr’s quality on and off the ball has already earned rave reviews and though lack of experience and consistency at the highest level could be a problem, the winger does have the potential to be one of the best in the league and could be a smart signing for Palace.
Zaha’s sale will also allow Palace to build on other areas of the squad making this deal perfect, at least on paper.
