Newcastle "looking" at £40m star who's "a step-up from Saint-Maximin" - transfer insider

Newcastle United are looking at Watford winger Ismaila Sarr, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

While he would not describe it as major interest, Jones says the Tyneside club definitely have the 24-year-old on their radar, viewing him as a potential upgrade on Allan Saint-Maximin.

French outlet Jeunes Footeux recently reported that Crystal Palace are keen on Sarr, with Patrick Vieira being an admirer of the player.

Jeunes Footeux states that Palace’s Premier League rivals Newcastle and Everton are also interested in the Senegalese star.

He could be an expensive purchase, though, even after Watford’s relegation to the Championship.

As per FootballTransfers, the Hornets will ask for £40m in any potential deal for Sarr in the upcoming transfer window.

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Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Newcastle have some interest in Sarr and that Palace will not want to get into a bidding war with them.

Speaking to GMS, the transfer insider said: “They just won’t want to get into a price battle with Newcastle, who have got some interest in him.

“It’s not major interest right now, but they’re definitely looking at the situation, as they see him as a game-changer and somebody that’s probably a step-up from Saint-Maximin.”

Sarr, described by Watford team-mate Ben Foster as “frightening”, is the type of winger who has no trouble beating full-backs.

In the 2021/22 Premier League season, he averaged 1.5 dribbles per game, while the campaign prior in the Championship, he managed 1.9 (via WhoScored).

All in all, he is a quite exciting wide man, and with Watford going down, the likes of Newcastle and Palace probably feel there is a