According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United’s new owners want to bring Ismaila Sarr to St James’ Park.
The report states that the Watford winger is one of Newcastle’s January targets, as the consortium look to build a team that is capable of challenging higher up the league.
Sarr is one of the Premier League’s best players outside the top six, and has enjoyed a strong start to the season after securing promotion with Watford.
The 23-year-old has four goals in nine Premier League appearances so far. One of his goals actually came against Newcastle in the 1-1 draw last month.
Sarr would be a fantastic signing for the Magpies, but the Mail add that Watford are unlikely to sell. They reportedly believe he can reach Jack Grealish’s level, who joined Manchester City for £100million this summer.
That’s disappointing for the new Toon owners, but it wouldn’t be the first time that Newcastle have missed out on signing the Senegalese winger.
Newcastle tried and failed to sign Ismaila Sarr in 2017 and 2019
The first time Newcastle were linked with Sarr was 2017.
He was playing for Metz at the time, and the Magpies reportedly offered €12million to sign the then 19-year-old ace.
That offer wasn’t enough, and Sarr headed to Rennes. But two years later and he was a target once again.
Newcastle appointed Steve Bruce in the summer of 2019 following Rafa Benitez’s departure, and Mike Ashley certainly backed the new manager.
He brought in Joelinton for a club record fee of £40million, while Allan Saint-Maximin also arrived for £16.5million from Nice.
But one man they couldn’t sign was Sarr. He was playing for Rennes at the time, but was primed for a move away after winning the Coupe de France, alongside former Magpie Hatem Ben Arfa.
And after his cup winning exploits, the Magpies wanted to bring him to St James’ Park, even before Benitez’s exit.
According to L’Equipe in June 2019, Newcastle were expected to make a move for Sarr after Watford had an offer of £27million rejected.
In the end, Newcastle turned their attention to Saint-Maximin, and Sarr went on to complete a move to Watford later that transfer window.
But will it be third time lucky for Newcastle in their pursuit of Sarr? It will certainly take a lot more money than they’ve offered in the past.