Transfer Talk: Five relegated aces Premier League clubs should sign

Watford and Norwich are heading back to the Championship for the second time in three years following Premier League relegation.

In 2020, both the Canaries and Hornets held on to some of their star names and successfully secured an immediate top-flight return.

But it may be different this time around. We have picked out five players Premier League teams may consider snapping up this summer.

Ismaila Sarr

Nobody expected Ismaila Sarr to spend a year in the Championship last time Watford were relegated — and it looks even less likely this time around.

The Senegalese winger has not hit the consistent heights expected of him since moving to Vicarage Road for £40million in 2019.

But he has netted five times in an injury-hit campaign and with Newcastle said to be interested, they may be able to recoup a big fee for his services.

Ex-Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell said of Sarr: "He's a brilliant player. Dangerous, quick, strong, can play in multiple positions across the front three — he ticks a lot of boxes.

"He's one of the players likely to be most coveted by other teams, so Newcastle better move quickly and get in there."

Emmanuel Dennis

When Emmanuel Dennis netted eight goals in his first 16 league games, he looked like a striker who could keep Watford up.

But the Nigerian has tailed off since then with only two more strikes, perhaps as a result of the Hornets’ refusal to release him for the Africa Cup of Nations.

That does not mean there will not be a lower-half Premier League club willing to spend some cash on the 24-year-old, who also has six assists this term.

Despite playing for one of the division's worst sides, he ranks 25th in the league for goals scored from open play per 90 mins, 31st for assists from open play, fifth for take-ons attempted and 14th for take-ons completed.

Known as a difficult character to control prior to his Vicarage Road move, Dennis may be a gamble worth taking.

Max Aarons

Like Sarr, when Norwich were last relegated there was an expectation that Max Aarons may have played his last game for the club.

But two years later, he is still at Carrow Road and his career has stagnated somewhat.

There is a reason that the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and even Barcelona were linked with him previously, though.

Recent reports suggest the Canaries are preparing to sell the 22-year-old and there will not be a shortage of admirers.

Still young, Aarons is a typical modern full-back who loves to attack and is lightning quick.

Milot Rashica

Kosovan playmaker Milot Rashica has not lived up to expectations since Norwich paid a club-record £9.4m for him last summer.

The ex-Werder Bremen man has notched just one goal and two assists in 29 Premier League appearances.

But the 25-year-old does have plenty of pedigree and came to England with a good reputation.

Not everyone adapts to English football immediately and there is a reason Liverpool were linked with Rashica previously.

Even if a Premier League club do not move for him, expect there to be plenty of interest from abroad.

Cucho Hernandez

Cucho Hernandez’s hamstring injury spared him the ignominy of being on the pitch when Premier League relegation was confirmed for Watford.

But it also came at the worst possible time as he looked to put himself in the shop window at Vicarage Road.

Hernandez has five top-flight goals this season from just 11 starts, and three of them had come in the four games before he limped off against Leeds.

After a brace in the win at Southampton, Hernandez said: "It's difficult when you don't play as much, but when you have the opportunity you have to go and take your chance."

A stunning overhead kick against Arsenal had fans drooling and the 23-year-old Colombian certainly looks a player worth taking a chance on.