After the acquisition of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Marseille strengthened their front line with the addition of 25-year-old Senegalese international Ismaila Sarr. There has been no official confirmation from Marseille, but the winger is said to have signed a five-year agreement with the French club for $14.4 million.
After Aubameyang signed on a free transfer from Chelsea last week, Sarr is the second high-profile signing to arrive at the Stade Velodrome recently.
The addition of two forwards raises more concerns about Alexis Sanchez's future. The Chilean attacker, who has been unemployed since the end of June, has not yet agreed to extend his stay on the south coast. Sarr's participation in the deal marks his return to French football after starting out at Metz in 2016 and joining Rennes the following year.
The winger scored 18 goals and made 16 assists in 77 appearances for the Breton club.
This was enough to attract the Hornets’ attention in 2019. Sarr scored 34 goals and made 24 assists in 131 appearances during his four years in England.
Sarr, who was Watford’s record signing, won the Player of the Season award for 2020-2021 season after his 13 goals helped lead the club back to the top flight of English football. “Thank you and good luck, Isma”, Watford wrote on Twitter, which is being rebranded as ‘X’.
Ismaila Sarr achieved success on the world stage last year when Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations. The winger has 54 Lions of Teranga appearances to his credit.
Marseille has had a bustling summer hiring period thus far. Sarr joins central midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia and defender Renan Lodi, both of whom were acquired from Atletico Madrid, in addition to Aubameyang.
