Aniket Rai
Former Watford director reveals how close Manchester United to signing Ismaila Sarr
Speaking on the Here We Go podcast (h/t Metro), former Watford technical-director, Filippo Giraldi, revealed that Manchester United came ‘extremely close’ to signing Ismaila Sarr.
The Senegalese winger joined the Hornets in a blockbuster £25million move in the summer of 2019. He had impressed from Stade Rennes in Ligue 1 and carried that form into his debut Premier League season.
But Watford were relegated that season, and the Red Devils were on the lookout for a new right-winger. They made Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund their priority signing.
That deal, however, fell through as United did not want to dish out the £100million+ transfer fee that the Black and Yellow were asking for. So their attention turned towards Sarr, who was valued at £40million by his club.
A missed opportunity?
And Giraldi revealed that United came close to signing the 23-year-old in a deal that he was personally managing for the Hornets, but it fell through at the last minute.
“We were extremely close, I was personally negotiating with them. We weren’t able to reach an agreement. And I think Ismaila is very young, he will arrive for sure.”
The Red Devils have often deployed a number of players down the right-hand flank this season. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Dan James, and more recently, Amad Diallo, have all occupied that spot on occasions.
Diallo joined the club in the winter transfer window for a fee rising up to €41million. While the 18-year-old has immense potential, it would make sense that he is given time to adjust at the club before being put regularly in the starting XI.
More Manchester United News:
- Eric Bailly wants assurance over game time before signing new Manchester United contract
- Andre Silva attracts Barcelona transfer interest amidst Manchester United links
- Manchester United News: Luke Shaw and Solskjaer nominated for Premier League awards
And signing a right-winger for the near future does not seem like a bad move for the club. But it is unclear whether they would ever reconsider a second move for Sarr.
