Watford will look to step up talks with Rennes this week over a possible club-record deal for winger Ismaila Sarr.
The Hornets have identified the 21-year-old as a top target during the current transfer window and are exploring the possibility of snapping him up.
Sarr enjoyed an impressive season in France last term, finishing the campaign with eight goals and five assists in Ligue 1.
Watford are looking to sign a wide player this summer and the Senegal international has emerged as a primary target.
Preliminary talks have taken place over a move to Vicarage Road, but they are expected to accelerate this week.
Sarr has been at the African Cup of Nations with Senegal, who lost in the final to Algeria on Friday, and that has delayed talks.
However, following the competition’s conclusion, negotiations with Rennes are expected to step up this week.
Any deal for Sarr is likely to be a club-record one, with Watford’s previous highest transfer being the signing of Andre Gray from Burnley for £18.5million back in the summer of 2017.
Rennes do not want to sell Sarr and as a result they are likely to demand a fee in the region of £25m to £30m for the winger.
Sarr, who scored against Arsenal in the Europa League last season, is understood to be interested in hearing what Watford can offer him and the chance to play in England.
Watford have so far made one signing this summer, spending £5.5m to sign defender Craig Dawson from West Brom.
