Looks like we should be more worried about United now. (Source: https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/1306974389393653766?s=19)
If Liverpool do go for Jota, as seems likely now, I think the only circumstance in which we sell is if United can’t get Sancho done and come in and pay over the odds for Sarr at the end of the window. If I were Gino, I would much rather be negotiating with them - both given their desperation to get a RW through the door, given the psychology of negotiating with a party that’s just offered £100+ for a different target, and just the fact that they are less stingy and don’t tap up their targets in the way Liverpool do - than Liverpool.
Need to undercut whatever Wolves value Jota at. Or throw in some vouchers to use off their next purchase. We won't be beaten on price.
Always thought United/Dortmund was the dark horse in this scenario. Have to hope Dortmund relent over Sancho and then don’t look at Sarr themselves...
Wolves will almost certainly try and get Sarr if they sell Jota. Or they have some 3000 other Portuguese players to pick from.
We're quite lucky that they are probably the one premier league side who wouldn't. 1) Not a Mendes player 2) Not Portugese 3) Very similar to Adama No foreign team is spending the £50 mil package we want for Sarr. It'll be United if anyone.
I really hope Ismaila isn't paying too much attention to all these rumours. He's turned down Barcelona (before he joined Rennes) so he is clearly pretty grounded but it can't be easy to focus on your football when the team you've dreamed about joining is starting to look elsewhere. Great for Watford, though, as long as he doesn't request a transfer.
Melissa Reddy Senior Football Correspondent @MelissaReddy_ 9 minutes ago Liverpool are escalating their interest in Diogo Jota from Wolves and are optimistic of following up the signing of Thiago by adding the forward to their squad for a fee expected to be in excess of £35 million. Jurgen Klopp has long been an admirer of the versatility and work rate of the Portugal international, who was left out of the Carabao Cup defeat to Stoke by Nuno Espirito Santo. That signals a transfer is close and with Reds defender Ki-Jana Hoever moving in the opposite direction in a permanent deal, the clubs have been locked in negotiations with the intention of finding speedy conclusions to both situations. Jota is represented by Gestifute, who Liverpool dealt with to secure Fabinho. The 23-year-old topped the champions’ shortlist of candidates to fortify their attack, while enquiries were also made for Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, but his valuation was exorbitant. If they are paying in excess of £35m for Jota, and our Sarr valuation is exorbitant, what on earth are we asking for?
Wonder if the grumpy crowd will acknowledge this. The plan is clearly to keep him & we could have easily sold for £35m and cut our losses and recoup some money. Instead we've priced people out the market and it's looking likely he'll stay. You'd think Sarr in the championship is an instant match winner.
That's reassuring... we live in hope. Anyone sees a snap of Sarr in a Portugal shirt and we'll know he wants out. Which United btw? Newcastle or Colchester?
Hadn't realised just how young Jota still was, proven over 4 seasons, 3 seasons in PL one with Porto, and still only 23. 33 PL goals too. Can see why Liverpool would choose him as a safer option if Sarr is a similar price.
Agreed. Also Jota played predominantly on the left, so I’d imagine they’ll want someone who primarily plays there. But they’ll almost certainly bring in a Mendes client if indeed they bring someone else in (They already have Podence and Neto who can play there and have brought in Fabio Silva as another, albeit more central, forward.)
Before too much excitement... did everyone overlook the reports that Man United are interested? This situation is far from over.
Happy to acknowledge and if it happens, give praise to the owner and club. But baby steps - long way to go on the road to redemption/earning goodwill!
It'll never be over while he's at a Championship club. He's too good for the Championship. However, if we keep him long enough we might be too good for the Championship too
I'm not so sure they will. It's strange that Liverpool have £35m to spend on Jota, yet they can't find £40m for Sarr. The thing is, Sarr is still a lot of potential. Jota is the finished article so maybe more of a sure thing for them. However, maybe Watford want more than £40m, so I'd say that would count out Wolves. The big player would now be United. Clearly dialogue is open after today's loan has proved. Seems a bit too coincidental that Garner arrives on the day rumours start with United being interested in Sarr. I think the best thing all round (obviously for us), is for teams to leave Sarr alone for now in this window, see how he does in the Championship. At the end of the day, he did have a lot of quiet games for us. The Liverpool performance elevated him, but it was a bit of a one off. He's had "moments" in games, but £40-£50m is a bit too much for clubs right now. He does need to develop a be consistent before clubs are willing to part with a significant sum of money. He needs a greater body of work. Had we stayed in the Premier League, I doubt anyone would have been seriously sniffing around. They're looking at him now because we were relegated and thought they could get a bargain. If that's not the case, and he's not kicking up a fuss, then I think there's a real possibility we could keep him, at least until the winter window.
£35m for Jota seems on the low side. Shows how much of a hit the market has taken. He's only a year older than Sarr and is certainly more established. Amazed at this to be honest. Must have been a transfer request.
If true - and that’s a big if given it’s from Twitter - the quote we have given truly is exorbitant, you’d have to say what the Watford Observer said early in the window holds weight...’£40m only buys his left leg’ etc. Wouldn’t mind betting that we have told interested parties that he cost us over £30m and his stock has risen since then... I reckon we may be quoting nearer £50m personally. I would stop short of describing Jota as the finished article though. He’s still only 23 and moving to Liverpool could push him to another level.
SSN saying the Jota deal likely to wrapped by up tomorrow. Worth noting that he has played as a second striker for Wolves and they have recently spent £35m on Fabio Silva from Porto.
