Ismaila Sarr enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League last term (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, West Ham are preparing a £30 million bid for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr in the January window as David Moyes looks to bolster his forward line.
The Senegalese speedster had been linked with Man United and Liverpool in the summer while Crystal Palace had a bid worth £25million plus add-ons rejected by the Hornets before the deadline. The Hammers, though, are now willing to test Watford’s resolve by putting a better financial offer on the table. (h/t The Sun)
Sarr shot to prominence with Stade Rennes in France after starting his career with Metz. The 22-year-old bagged 18 goals and 16 assists in 77 appearances before completing a move to the Premier League with Watford in the summer of 2019.
The highly-rated winger went on to enjoy an impressive debut season in English football, registering 6 goals and 6 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions.
That wasn’t enough to save Watford from relegation. The Senegalese starlet has continued to impress in the Championship, racking up 4 goals and 2 assists in 18 league appearances for the Hornets so far.
West Ham’s need for a new centre-forward has been heightened by the sale of Sebastien Haller to Ajax this month. He struggled to live up to the expectations in East London and has now sealed a return to the Netherlands.
Haller’s departure has left David Moyes with Michail Antonio as the only recognised striker in the ranks. With fixtures set to come thick and fast over a hectic second half of the campaign, it goes without saying that the Hammers need more competition for places up top.
Moreover, Antonio has had his fair share of struggles with injuries this season. Hence, West Ham face the risk of a potential burnout in front of goal if the 30-year-old suffers an injury again. A new attacking option should, therefore, be high on the club’s agenda.
Ismaila Sarr ticks plenty of boxes at the London Stadium as a quality young player with plenty of room for development. The Senegalese speed merchant has showcased the versatility to operate on either flank and through the middle with equal efficiency. Hence, a potential deal for him in January would offer West Ham more depth in multiple areas across the forward line.
In truth, Sarr might not be a like-to-like replacement for Haller. But he’s more than capable of playing up top. He would compete with the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma for a place in the side.
With Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson down the pecking order and Robert Snodgrass no longer in the mix, the door remains open for Sarr to establish himself as a key player.
Ismaila Sarr certainly deserves a return to the Premier League after proving his mettle at this level last season. He already boasts an impressive CV for a played aged just 22, having earned 32 caps for Senegal at the senior international level.
The versatile forward has been tipped for a bright future in the game after a very promising start to his professional career. With his best years still ahead of him, West Ham shouldn’t hesitate to splash the cash on the Watford star.