‘It’d be a Smart Signing’ – Exclusive: Phillips reacts as West Ham line up reported bid | OneFootball

Ismaila Sarr cost £40million in 2019 and is a brilliant footballer — and he would be a “smart signing” for West Ham.

That is according to former Sunderland, Southampton and West Brom striker Kevin Phillips, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent about the Watford man’s potential West Ham switch.

On Friday, The Sun reported that West Ham were plotting a £30m bid for the pacey 22-year-old after Sebastien Haller’s Ajax departure.

The Senegalese forward has previously been linked with the likes of Liverpool and is widely considered too good a footballer to stay in the second-tier for much longer.

Phillips acknowledges Sarr’s ability but suggests that positional differences might make Sarr a less than ideal successor to Haller.

He told Football Insider: “I do not know if Sarr would be an upgrade on Haller. They are two very different players. Sarr is a wide forward, rather than a striker.

“Michail Antonio is the key to West Ham and has proven to be a very capable number nine. Sarr could play either side of Antonio which would give Moyes options.

“I really rate Sarr. He is quick and direct which causes major problems for defences. I think it would be a smart signing.”

Sarr made his senior debut for Metz in 2016, becoming a first-team regular in Ligue 1 almost immediately.

He made the switch to Rennes in the summer of 2017, spending two seasons with the Brittany-based club before joining Watford.

In other news, a former West Ham man has been offered a short-term deal with a Championship club.