Ismaila Sarr's agent Thierno Seydi has claimed that the winger was close to leaving Watford for Liverpool during the January transfer window.

Speaking to PanAfricanFootball.com about the effect coronavirus has had on football, he said that only finances got in the way of the deal and that the Reds were unable to find the €40million the two teams had agreed on.

Sarr stayed with the Hornets for the Championship season, after approaches from Liverpool Manchester United and Crystal Palace were rejected during the summer.

However, Liverpool are known to have retained an interest in the player and Seydi's comments suggest they made another move for him in the recent transfer window.

“With Liverpool, a few days ago, we were at the stage of signing the contract to bind Ismaila Sarr to the Reds," he said.

"Everything was set, the monthly salary and the length of the lease. I even asked Sadio Mané to find him an apartment. But in the end, the English club could not put 40 million euros on the table to finalize this case.

"This reflects the depth of the crisis affecting football."