Everton’s search for an attacking signing has taken yet another hit after Watford snubbed their last-gasp move for Ismaila Sarr.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Everton launched a rather cheeky late move to sign Sarr before the deadline.
It’s stated that Everton offered £2million to take Sarr on loan until the end of the season.
The deal would have included a £30million obligation to buy Sarr in the summer, with a £4million ‘appearance bonus’, which we can only assume was a fee paid upon hitting a certain number of appearances rather than by the appearance.
Still, Everton are desperate at this point so you never know…
Watford have rejected the offer and have been adamant that Sarr will not be leaving this month.
The Hornets are chasing promotion to the Premier League and losing Sarr would be an enormous blow to those hopes.
Slaven Bilic will be delighted with Watford’s firm stance but new Everton boss Sean Dyche may be wondering what he has signed up for.
Everton came into deadline day desperately needing reinforcements but it has been a story of woe.
Anthony Gordon’s sale to Newcastle armed Everton with cash but they have met rejection at every turn.
Udinese’s Beto was too expensive. Genk’s Paul Onuachu has picked a move to Southampton whilst Michy Batshuayi preferred to stay at Fenerbahce.
Every time Everton have turned to a new target, they have ended up empty-handed.
Kevin Thelwell has been throwing everything at the final hours of the window but it looks like Everton will end deadline day without a new signing on board.
New boss Sean Dyche really needed somebody on board and Sarr – hailed as ‘world class’ by compatriot El Hadji Diouf – would have given Everton some much-needed speed.
The deal won’t be happening though and Thelwell finds himself scrapping around in the final hour of the window.
