Crystal Palace are interested in signing Watford winger Ismaila Sarr.
The Lowdown: Mixed Season
The 24-year-old has had an injury-hit season, having missed 12 games for the Hornets because of it.
Despite that, he has scored five goals in the league, the second-highest at the Hertfordshire team, and his WhoScored rating of 6.58 places him eighth at the club.
The Senegal international’s best efforts were enough to prevent the Golden Boys from facing relegation, and with Watford facing a season in the Championship, they are perhaps more willing to sell some of their stars.
The Latest: Sarr to Leave Watford
According to French publication Jeunes Footeux, the former Rennes wide man is very to leave Watford in the summer.
They report that several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle and Everton, are interested, along with an unnamed German side, but Crystal Palace are ahead.
While Yellow Army accept that Sarr is probably going to leave, they will not let him go for anything less than 35m euros (£30m).
The Verdict: Does He Start at Palace?
At his best, the 6 foot 1 winger can be a nightmare for defenders. His performance against West Ham in 2020 led to Gary Neville praising him as a “big, big talent”.
“He’s a big, big talent, honestly he really is.
“He makes really good quality runs: the spin in behind, straight, but also the run inside in between full-back and centre-back – which I always think is the most difficult to mark.”
However, the Eagles already have several talented wingers, such as Wilfred Zaha, Michael Olise, and Eberechi Eze, with the last two being younger than Sarr.
According to FBRef, while Sarr is only behind Zaha is goals per 90 minutes, the £24m-rated player has the worst progressive passes per 90, goal-creating actions per 90, and tackles and interceptions per 90 out of the four.
The wingers already at the south London club then contribute more creatively and defensively, so Vieira should perhaps focus on other targets this summer.