Ismaila Sarr’s four-year stay at Watford could be about to come to an end with a move to France.

Reports suggest terms have been agreed with the Hornets for the Senegal winger to join Marseille and the 25-year-old is now set to undergo a medical.

Sarr’s departure has been anticipated after Watford failed to secure an immediate return to the Premier League and with only one year left on his contract it was always likely the Hornets would seek to recoup some of the club record fee they paid Rennes in 2019.

Head coach Valerien Ismael said he expected a decision on the future of the winger to be made soon when he spoke to the Watford Observer at the start of this month.

“I think at the minute he is still on holiday, and he will come back shortly,” Ismael said.

“We will have a talk with him and with the club to get to a decision.

“It’s clear that what I want is players who want to be involved, who are hungry, who have the desire to work hard.

“If we want to change the mindset of the squad – and we will – then regardless of the name of the player we will have to have the right player.”

The Senegalese international came within a phone call to former Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard of moving to the Midlands last summer, but remained at Vicarage Road and scored ten goals in 39 appearances as the Hornets failed to make the play-offs.

A player who can beat defenders with ease with his pace and skill at his confident best, the highlight of Sarr’s time at Vicarage Road arguably came on February 29, 2020 when he scored twice in a scintillating performance as Watford secured a stunning 3-0 victory over Liverpool that sent the champions elect to their first Premier League defeat for 423 days.

The Hornets were ultimately relegated at the end of that coronavirus lockdown-interrupted season, but Sarr remained at Vicarage Road and was a major reason why the club were promoted back to the top flight at the first attempt, scoring 13 goals and setting up another ten in 39 appearances.

Overall, Sarr has scored 34 goals in 131 league and cup appearances during his Watford career.