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Everyone assumed, once Jerome Sinclair indicated that he was unwilling to extend his contract at Merseyside, that the 19-year-old would be out the door come the summer transfer window. It seems that process has been expedited for the young striker in this window. It's being reported that Sinclair has signed a four-year contract with Watford.
While the news has yet to be made official by either club, everyone's favorite sports agent, Aidy Ward, has posted an image of Sinclair signing the contract on his Instagram. Because Aidy Ward. Fans my remember Ward as the agent who orchestrated Raheem Sterling's move to Manchester City last season. At least this much less volatile situation was resolved quickly and didn't stretch out like the Sterling affair.
Sinclair, who had been with Liverpool Football Club since he was 14-years-old, made five first team starts. He is expected to move to Vicarage Road starting 1 July when the transfer window officially opens. The compensation that Liverpool receives for the player will need to be determined by a Premier League tribunal. When negotiations were still ongoing with the player earlier this season and the team had hopes of retaining the talented striker, they turned down a £1.5m for the striker. Looks like that should be minimum that Liverpool will be hoping for in the tribunal decision.
Sinclair was an excellent Academy player, and many would have loved to see him continue his career in red. However, it was pretty clear by January that this wouldn't be the case, and we're left seeing how he develops from afar. With Danny Ings returning to fitness, and players like Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi,and even Christian Benteke still on the books, Sinclair would have found it difficult to get much first team playing time next season, especially Liverpool won't be competing in Europe. So it goes.