Leeds United: Ismaïla Sarr is a player of interest

Leeds United are interested in bringing winger Ismaïla Sarr to Elland Road ahead of September’s transfer window deadline. 

That is according to journalist Jacque Talbot, who was speaking to GiveMeSport about the latest potential transfer business for the Whites heading into the final weeks of the transfer window.

It had looked as if Sarr would be moving to Aston Villa this summer after it was announced that Watford and Villa had agreed a fee of £25m for the 24-year-old.

However, it looks as if the move is set to collapse, as per The Telegraph’s John Percy, with issues emerging over the deal’s structure, which also included the player’s personal terms.

Reports have linked Leeds with an interest in bringing Sarr to the club this summer, and may now be able to swoop for the winger with a move to Villa Park looking to have fallen through.

However, Talbot believes that whilst Jesse Marsch’s side are interested in signing the Watford man, the player himself doesn’t seem to be particularly pushing to leave this summer.

He said: “I heard Leeds were interested as well.

“I know the player’s had representatives speaking with clubs and trying to get the move away.

“But also, he doesn’t seem to be completely desperate to move.”

TIF Thoughts on Talbot’s comments…

We believe that whilst Leeds may have reinvigorated their hopes of signing Sarr following the uncertainty regarding his move to Villa, the club will be disappointed to hear that he’s not eager to leave Vicarage Road this season, suggesting that negotiations may prove to be difficult. 

The 47-time Senegal international, who has been labelled as “fantastic” by former manager Claudio Ranieri, scored five goals and provided two assists in 22 Premier League appearances for Watford last season according to Transfermarkt and currently averages a SofaScore rating of 7.07 for his Championship performances this season, ranking him as the sixth-highest performer in Rob Edwards’ side.

However, we believe that the wide-man’s stats from last season are skewed by his injury record, and that if the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations winner could get a full Premier League season under his belt, he may prove to be an exceptional signing at £25m.