Brazilian winger Matheus Martins may now be available for Watford as it appears it’s been decided that he will sign for Udinese and then be loaned back to Watford.

The 20-year-old joined up with the Watford squad last month, but couldn’t play in the Championship game at Norwich or the FA Cup tie at Reading.

This was seemingly due to the lack of work permit paperwork, and that may well have been further complicated by the fact that it wasn’t clear if he was signing for the Hornets, or if he had joined Udinese and was instead being loaned to Watford.

Now reports in Italy from udineseblog.it suggest that Martins is in Italy to complete a medical and sign a four-year contract with the Serie A side – owned by Giampolo Pozzo, father of Watford owner Gino Pozzo – and he will then be loaned to Watford until June 2023.

This comes after full-back Hasane Kamara was sold to Udinese in August for £16m before being immediately loaned back, and is the latest in a long list of deals between the two clubs that have often riled opposing managers and supporters, but clearly don’t break any rules.

Martins made more than 50 appearances for Fluminese in Brazil before the move, and also has six caps and three goals for the national Under-20 team.

The forward was due to be part of the Brazil squad that will compete at the upcoming 2023 South American Under-20 Championships, but reports in Brazil say he is one of a number of players whose club sides have requested permission to miss the tournament.

It’s already been reported that Manchester United have prevented Alejandro Garnacho from joining up with Argentina squad for the competition which starts in Colombia on January 19 and runs through until February 12.