Manchester United will have a second chance to land Ismaila Sarr if they cannot get a deal done before the October 5 deadline.
Watford and the Red Devils have been locked in talks over the right winger as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to strengthen the position.
But United are eyeing a loan deal whereas the Hornets only want to sell permanently meaning talks have hit a standstill.
However, United have time on their side, unlike with other deals, as an agreement to extend the transfer deadline for domestic deals until October 16 was reached before the window opened.
Deals between Premier League and EFL clubs do not have to be completed before that extended deadline, meaning United have another 11 days to strike a deal for Sarr with Watford if their initial approach fails today.
Watford value Sarr, 22, at £45million and will demand a minimum initial payment of £20million, according to The Athletic.
They then want a further £15m next summer and the final £10m payment in 2022/23 with further performance-based add-ons.
United are still keen to get the deal done in order to meet tomorrow’s UEFA deadline to register him for the Champions League.
But if they cannot strike an agreement they have a second chance before the later deadline for domestic deals.
That means completing deals for the likes of Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles is likely to take greater priority over talks with Watford.
Cavani and Telles are both understood to be undergoing medicals at Carrington to complete moves.
But right wing remains a pressing concern and adding Sarr would add a further option to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack.
If a deal cannot be completed until closer to the October 16 deadline then having to make do without Sarr in their Champions League squad for the group stages would be a blow.
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