The letter notifying Watford of the ban was signed by FIFA Disciplinary Committee’s Head of Judicial Bodies (Adjudicatory), Julien Deux, and was also copied to the English FA.

In addition to the international transfer ban, FIFA requested the Football Association to enforce a ban on registering new players at the national level for Watford.

However, according to reports from the Watford Observer, the club is confident that the issue is an administrative matter that is close to being resolved. However, until the matter is resolved and the required payments are made to Megamu Academy, the ban will remain in effect.

Before the FIFA ban, Watford had already sanctioned the departures of William Troost-Ekong to PAOK Salonika, João Pedro to Brighton, and Joseph Hungbo to FC Nuremberg.

On the other hand, the Hornets have made some acquisitions, welcoming Rhys Healey and Jake Livermore on free transfers.

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Heading into this summer, one big question mark surrounding Watford was the future of Ismaila Sarr.

Having nearly moved to Aston Villa last summer, only for the deal to break down, the Senegalese international went on to have an underwhelming campaign at Vicarage Road.

To be fair to Sarr, in scoring 10 goals and registering six assists, he still produced good numbers, but there was an overall feeling that even Sarr himself would surely admit that he was not at his best.

So far this summer, there has been very little reported transfer interest in Sarr, even despite the Championship getting underway in a fortnight.

Now, though, it looks as though that has changed.

Champions League club linked with Ismaila Sarr

Indeed, that is the case according to Fabrizio Romano, who has reported that French side Marseille have made a move to sign Sarr this summer.

Romano reports that the French side have started contacts for Sarr, with talks ongoing over potentially bringing him to France.

Sarr is not the only option under consideration by the club, but is on their list, reports Romano, who ends by stating that negotiations are taking place.

Marseille finished 3rd in the French Ligue 1 last season, meaning they will play in the Champions League next season, albeit they will enter the competition at the third qualifying round stage.

How long does Ismaila Sarr have left on his Watford contract?

Having signed a five-year deal when joining Watford in 2019, Ismaila Sarr is tied down at Vicarage Road until the summer of 2024.

This means that the Senegalese international has just one-year remaining on his current deal.

As such, it is widely expected that Watford will cash in on what is now their star asset following Joao Pedro’s sale to. Brighton

How much will Ismaila Sarr cost this summer?

As touched upon above, last summer, a move to Aston Villa for Sarr broke down.

At that time, the Villains were reportedly set to pay Watford a transfer fee of £25 million.

That was last summer, though, when Sarr had two-years remaining on his deal, and the Hornets were in a stronger position

It really does feel like the right time for Ismaila Sarr to move on from Watford this summer.

After suffering two relegations with the Hornets, and sticking with them despite that, with one-year remaining on his deal, it makes sense for both parties to look elsewhere.

Watford will be looking to get a decent fee for their player, whilst Sarr will get to play at a higher level than the Championship, which his ability warrants.

A move to Marseille could be a good one, too, as it would see him return to Ligue 1, where he performed well before his move to England.

Although it seems as though things are at the early stages, the prospect of going from Championship to Champions League football is surely an exciting one for the 25-year-old.