Talks with a new left-back are at an advanced stage – but Watford’s priority in the summer transfer market is a striker.
Although Caleb Wiley is expected to return to Vicarage Road on a season-long loan from Chelsea during the summer, with Yasser Larouci returning to his parent club at the end of his loan, the Hornets need another left-sided option.
They are close to securing exactly that, as the club move quicker and earlier in the market than at any other time under the Pozzo ownership.
It’s understood to be another sign that the owner is now focussed on Watford, backing up his talk of challenging for the play-offs and promotion by bringing in new players as soon as possible for new head coach Paulo Pezzolano to work with.
The owner also said in his recent statement that retaining the players currently at the club was highly important, and with news emerging last week that Wiley and fellow defender James Abankwah would most likely be back next season – the latter expected to join permanently from Udinese – it’s clear the Hornets are very keen to retain the squad that ended last season.
Obviously that would also mean keeping hold of the likes of Player of the Season Imran Louza, Georgian international Giorgi Chakvetadze, and forward Kwadwo Baah.
That will be more severely put to the test when the transfer window opens on June 1 and any potential offers start to come in.
Unlike in previous summers, the window will open at the start of the month for 10 days, then close temporarily before reopening again.
This has been to accommodate the FIFA Club World Cup which starts in America in mid-June.
Alongside keeping their best players, though, the club have recognised the need for a new striker and are keen to make a permanent signing in that area of the pitch – though they would also be open to taking a young Premier League player on loan if the right option became available.
The problem with the latter is that top-flight clubs generally take large squads with them on pre-season tours, and will only consider loaning out those they view as surplus to requirements once they are back.
That can often mean loan signings have to be made at the end of the summer transfer window and the Hornets are keen to get as much of their business done sooner rather than later.
Mileta Rajovic will return to London Colney this summer after his loan spell with Brondby in Denmark, and young Mali international Mamadou Doumbia did plenty to further his cause in the last few months of last season.
However, it is believed that neither is viewed as first-choice, hence the club seeking to find the ideal No.9 for new head coach Paulo Pezzolano.
That particular position has, though, become one of the hardest to find for recruitment teams at all levels.
Already a number of names have been flying around on social media, including West Ham’s Danny Ings, but The Watford Observer understands he is not under consideration at all.
Watford were scarred last season with the highly unsuccessful loan move of Bournemouth striker Daniel Jebbison.
The Canada international was signed while Rajovic was heading back to Denmark, but Jebbison rarely looked like the answer in attack and his spell at Vicarage Road was cut short at the start of this year.
One move understood to be close to completion is the signing of goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, who has been allowed to leave League One side Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer.
Final paperwork is being finished off and the deal could be announced early next week.
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