Manchester United are exploring a move for Ismaila Sarr amid uncertainty over Jadon Sancho.
The Telegraph reported this week United have enquired after the winger, who is valued by Watford at £40 million.
Most intriguingly, United have beyond the transfer deadline on October 5 to complete a deal.
There is an extra deadline for trade between English clubs which runs to October 16 at 5pm.
This is applicable for both loan and permanent deals.
The Premier League website states: “During this window, Premier League clubs will only be able to trade with EFL clubs (either loans or permanent registrations).
“No transfers can take place between Premier League clubs in this period.”
United then can leave Sarr as a fall-back option, having extra time to try and get a deal done.
Problems with this approach
Broadly speaking, having extra time to do deals is good news, given United’s poorly executed transfer window to date.
It is not foolproof though. If United fail to sign a winger before the October 5 deadline and then reach out to Watford, there is a chance the price goes up.
Watford will sense United’s desperation and could hike Sarr’s price beyond £40 million.
There could also be added competition for his signature, as clubs concentrate more closely on a more limited pool of players who could be added.
A risk also exists that United taking a relaxed approach over Sarr as a back-up could see a foreign team nip in and sign him before the October 5 deadline.
United do have good relations with Watford due to loaning James Garner out to the Championship club earlier this month.
For everybody’s sanity, getting business done by the October 5 deadline is preferable.
But the extra extension provides a safety net in case the cut off leaves United short.
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