Ipswich Town And Watford Interested In German Defender But Face Obstacle
Former Union Berlin star Niko Giebelmann is on the shortlist of Championship outfits Watford and Ipswich Town, but the player would prefer to stay in Germany.
The 31-year-old left-back featured 28 times for the Bundesliga outfit last summer and picked up four cautions as he helped them to secure a spot in the Champions League.
Giebelmann’s contract with Union Berlin ran out at the end of June and he has since become a free agent.
And in the ongoing transfer window, Giebelmann is gathering attention from Championship outfits Ipswich Town and Watford, according to German magazine Kicker.
However, it has been claimed that the 31-year-old’s preference is to continue his career in Germany.
Giebelmann worked with Watford boss Valerien Ismael during his tenure at Hannover 96 and the Hornets boss is keen on a reunion.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna wants to introduce quality and depth in his left-back role and believes that Giebelmann has an ideal profile to fit into his squad.
The 31-year-old also has suitors in Germany in the form of Schalke, who have put out feelers, and they could provide Ipswich and Watford with tough competition for the signature of Giebelmann.
Watford Winger Makes Move To Ligue 1 Giant
Closing a vibrant chapter in his career, Ismaila Sarr’s transition to the esteemed club Marseille is estimated to heap at least €18million into Watford’s coffers.
Late into the previous evening, the permanent switch to the French giants was cemented following Sarr’s successful medical at their pre-season rendezvous in Germany. The Senegalese maestro inked a five-year contract, affirming his commitment to his new sporting home.
While the transfer amount remains hush-hush, it’s believed that the Hornets will benefit from a minimum of £15.5million as per current exchange standards. The anticipation around Sarr’s migration to Marseille had been steadily building since Sunday, given the whispers of the Hornets striking a lucrative deal with the Ligue 1 stalwarts.
A Departure Foreseen: Sarr Bids Adieu to Watford
As the summer breeze stirred up changes at Vicarage Road, Sarr’s exit seemed inevitable, especially after Watford’s unsuccessful attempt to bounce back to the Premier League. However, this farewell deal might be a pleasant surprise for fans, considering Sarr’s dwindling market value and his contract reaching its twilight year.
Sarr’s journey away from Watford is arguably the most talked about since Joao Pedro made his way to Brighton & Hove Albion. This transfer is yet another stroke in the Hornets’ strategy to redefine their squad, which saw the retirement of the former captain, Tom Cleverley, and departures of players such as Craig Cathcart and William Troost-Ekong.
Almost a Villan, Always a Hornet
Last summer, Sarr had been on the brink of signing with Aston Villa, following a near call with their former manager, Steven Gerrard. However, he decided to don the Hornets’ jersey once again, contributing ten goals in 39 appearances, despite the team’s failure to make the play-offs.
During his tenure at Vicarage Road, the indelible memory of Sarr’s extraordinary dual-goal feat stands out, that ended Liverpool’s astounding 423-day unbeaten streak in the Premier League with a 3-0 triumph in February 2020. Despite the Hornets’ relegation in the Covid-marred season, Sarr stayed on board, spearheading the team’s ascension back to the top-flight with 13 goals and ten assists in 39 appearances.
With an impressive tally of 34 goals in 131 appearances across league and cup games during his time with Watford, Sarr’s departure is bittersweet. The Hornets bid him adieu through a heartfelt statement, expressing their gratitude for the indelible moments he carved in their history and sending forth wishes for his exciting journey ahead with Marseille.
