Watford winger Ismaila Sarr was linked with a move to Manchester United last week by The Independent.
Sarr is a very talented winger but far from the finished product. He is the type of player who could succeed at United, or flip a coin and he could be a bust.
For United to commit £40 million to sign Sarr would be real gamble, especially when it would be clear he’d be a Plan B for Jadon Sancho.
The ideal scenario would be for United to sign Sancho and Sarr. But finances would make that impossible for United this summer.
Loan deal may be an option
According to a report from 90 Min, Watford are open to letting Sarr leave the club on loan.
This may be the perfect solution for Manchester United to have their cake and eat it.
Getting Sarr on loan would give United a ‘try before you buy’. With a £40 million ‘option to buy’ built into a loan, the club can spend the season assessing whether the Senegalese winger is worth the money by road testing him first hand.
With relations between United and Watford potentially helped by James Garner’s loan, this potential deal may be a very work-able solution which suits both clubs, with no big bids in for Sarr yet as the Hornets would have hoped.
Liverpool were linked but they have moved for Wolves’ Diogo Jota instead, leaving Sarr short of suitors. The door is open for United.
A double deal becomes an option
Whether you believe a move for Jadon Sancho is still possible or not, officially United have not given up.
A £40 million for for Sarr would be a concession of defeat over Sancho, with funds diverted elsewhere.
However a loan deal for Sarr would still enable funds to be available for Sancho, with the fee for the Watford ace only due next summer.
United need more than one winger and Sarr could help Sancho and vice versa, taking the pressure off one another.
A double deal for Sancho and Sarr appeared impossible, but if Watford are willing to let the latter leave on loan, then it becomes financially viable even if United do commit to Sancho.
This would also leave funds available for necessary defensive reinforcements too, which have become even more pressing after the club’s opening day defeat.
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