"Exciting signing" - Journalist drops claim on Newcastle target who was in Matt Ritchie's pocket

Newcastle United have been backed to swoop for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr as he would be an ‘exciting signing’ for the St James’ Park outfit, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Magpies are in a position where they can spend big during the upcoming summer transfer window as they became the richest club in world football when the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund led a £305million takeover last October.

Sarr joined Watford for a club-record fee, believed to be worth £40million, in 2019 and has gone on to impress on English shores.

The 24-year-old has seamlessly adjusted to the rigours of the Premier League, with him reaching double figures for goals in the competition earlier this season.

According to The Sun, Sarr has worked his way onto Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe’s radar ahead of the reopening of the transfer window.

The report suggests the 41-cap Senegal international will leave Watford regardless of whether the Hornets maintain their top flight status, but Newcastle are expected to face competition from Liverpool – who have sent scouts to Vicarage Road – for Sarr’s services.

Spanish sources have claimed Sarr is among Reds boss Jurgen Klopp’s top targets due to uncertainty over where the long-term future of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane lies.

But Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Newcastle to win the race for Sarr, with the former Premier League frontman insisting the Watford star would be ‘perfect’ for Howe’s charges.

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O’Rourke believes Newcastle are right to be targeting players of Sarr’s calibre thanks to the injection of cash the club has enjoyed.

The journalist feels the Senegalese winger, who still has more than two