Journalist says Newcastle see Sarr as an upgrade on Saint-Maximin

By Jordan Harris

Journalist Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that Newcastle United see Ismaila Sarr as a potential upgrade on Allan Saint-Maximin, but are yet to step up their interest in the Watford forward.

Sarr will surely leave Vicarage Road this summer. The Hornets were relegated once again. And the Senegalese certainly has the potential to play at a much higher level.

Injury restricted the 24-year-old to just 22 Premier League appearances this past season. But he still managed to score five times. In fact, his record in the top-flight is impressive, with 10 goals and eight assists in 50 Premier League games, mostly from out wide.

Previous reports claimed that Newcastle had held talks with his agent. They are also reportedly battling the likes of Everton and Crystal Palace for the £30 million-rated attacker, who has been described as ‘frightening‘.

And Jones has provided an insight into how high Newcastle potentially rate Sarr as he discussed Palace’s interest.

“They just won’t want to get into a price battle with Newcastle, who have got some interest in him,” he told Give Me Sport.

“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.”

Newcastle see Sarr as Saint-Maximin upgrade

It is odd to argue that anyone could be a huge upgrade on Saint-Maximin. Few players in the Premier League are as dangerous as the Frenchman. And Newcastle would have been in real bother in the last couple of years without him.

However, it is also probably fair to say that he has not produced the kind of record a player with his talent should have. He has 12 goals and 16 assists in 93 games for the Magpies.

It will be interesting to see if that record improves as Newcastle’s squad gets better. Eddie Howe’s side will be less reliant on Saint-Maximin. And that may leave the 25-year-old with a little more freedom.

Signing someone like Sarr would perhaps help given the potential Newcastle think the Watford man may have.