With less than a week to go until the domestic transfer window closes, Ismaila Sarr remains a Watford player.
Joining the Hornets from Rennes in a £30m deal last summer, he enjoyed an impressive, albeit inconsistent first season in England with the obvious highlight being his two goals and assist in their shock 3-0 win over Liverpool in February.
The Reds have been linked with the 22-year-old ever since, with Watford going on to suffer relegation despite the best efforts of Sarr.
Liverpool bosses held talks with Watford earlier this summer, but ultimately decided against making a move in favour of signing Diogo Jota from Wolves, while he continues to be linked with Manchester United though no move has yet been forthcoming.
As such, he remains a Championship player, a fate he would not have envisaged when making the move to Vicarage Road last summer, and his future remains unresolved.
Sitting out the Hornets’ opening two games, he has since started upfront in their last two second tier outings, but will be hopeful of making a move before the window closes on Friday.
However, Watford’s stance is rather clear and they would be delighted if the Senegal international remained on their books by the end of the week.
The Athletic report club bosses know interest will continue until the domestic window closes, having previously received offers from Liverpool and Manchester United, but hope that no-one comes in with an offer that is worth considering.
Watford are said to be demanding a £45m transfer fee with a payment structure of £20m within the first 12 months, £15m in 2021/22 and the final £10m in 2022/23, with additional add-ons potentially also factored into the deal.
And it is that stance that reiterates why Liverpool never followed up on their initial interest and switched attentions to Jota instead.
The Portugal international, who is only a year older than Sarr, moved to Anfield in an initial £41m deal, which could rise to £46m, and has enjoyed a lively start to his Reds career.
But most telling, in times of financial uncertainty because of the coronavirus pandemic, Liverpool were only required to pay £4m upfront for the 23-year-old.
While Sarr recorded five goals and six assists in the Premier League last year from 28 appearances, Jota managed seven goals and an assist from 34 outings with those totals rising to 16 goals and six assists in all competitions.
Meanwhile, in his own maiden top-flight campaign the year before, he registered nine goals and five assists in the Premier League from 33 appearances.
Liverpool’s decision was a no-brainer.
The Reds could of course still get burnt by Sarr again this season, should he complete a move to the Premier League before Friday’s deadline.
But with Wolves more willing to conclude a deal than Watford, Jota boasting a more impressive goal return and also available at a fraction of the upfront cost, Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards will have no regrets about their latest signing and the deal that brought him to Anfield.
