Phil Hay finally responds as Leeds United linked heavily with Watford star Ismaila Sarr

Phil Hay has reported that talk of Leeds United signing Watford attacker Ismaila Sarr is wide of the mark as things stand despite transfer speculation hitting overdrive.

Tutto Calciomercato 24 had reported that the Senegal international was one step away from a move to Elland Road with a £20million-plus move on the verge of completion.

Hay has swiftly shut that down, with talk of another Watford star Joao Pedro and Juan Mata also two names that have been updated as wide of the mark.

Writing on his personal Twitter account, Hay finally responded to links with a host of names with Sarr previously said to be the closest out of all of them.

"No real movement on further incomings at Leeds United at this stage," he wrote.

"But in terms of the names linked in the past 24 hours - Mata, Sarr, Pedro - all wide of the mark."

Not happening.

Well then, the excitement was fun while it lasted.

Of course, with these reports coming from France and Italy over the past 24 hours, it was smart to proceed with an air of caution surrounding Sarr and Pedro.

With Mata also shut down, it looks as though Leeds are well and truly still at square one in terms of new arrivals, with no real breakthrough looking imminent.

That means a new left-back and striker are further away than ever, and with only three weeks to go in this current window, nerves could start to creep in.

Jesse Marsch may be happy with his squad with everyone, except Stuart Dallas, less than two weeks away from returning, but that isn't the view of the fans.

We all wanted reinforcements to really cap off what has been a positive window in terms of incomings, but Andrea Radrizzani could be about to let that slip away.

Let's hope for movement soon.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle