Watford – Sport Witness http://sportwitness.co.uk Wed, 01 Nov 2023 10:16:54 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.15 “Should’ve been more patient” – Player suggests he moved to Watford too soon, transfer decision fueled by excitement http://sportwitness.co.uk/shouldve-patient-player-suggests-moved-watford-soon-transfer-decision-fueled-excitement/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/shouldve-patient-player-suggests-moved-watford-soon-transfer-decision-fueled-excitement/#respond Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:37:49 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=445410 Belgian forward Obbi Oularé has told Het Laatste Nieuws that he no regrets over joining Watford despite struggling to impress during his time at Vicarage Road. The 27-year-old spent a year at Standard Liège’s academy before becoming part of Club Brugge’s youth system in 2013. He impressed for the latter and that helped him make

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Belgian forward Obbi Oularé has told Het Laatste Nieuws that he no regrets over joining Watford despite struggling to impress during his time at Vicarage Road.

The 27-year-old spent a year at Standard Liège’s academy before becoming part of Club Brugge’s youth system in 2013. He impressed for the latter and that helped him make his way into their first team a year later.

His displays for the Jupiler Pro League side convinced Watford to invest in his services in 2015.

Oularé finished his debut season with the Hornets with only three appearances as he was overlooked by their then manager, Quique Sánchez Flores.

Watford sent him out on loan to Zulte Waregem, Willem II, Royal Antwerp and Standard Liège for three years, before they sold him to the latter in 2019. The attacker has struggled with fitness and HLN points out that he has missed 701 days due to injuries.

When asked if he would have wanted to change anything from the past, he said: “I would tell my younger self to be patient. In the beginning of my career, things may have happened too quickly. It was also just difficult to stay calm. I played for the reserves of De Rode Duivels.

“I broke through at Club Brugge, the best team in Belgium. The press wrote pages full of all the clubs that were supposedly interested in me. It was about money, a lot of money. Then it’s not easy to make the right choice at that moment, at that age.”

According to HLN, the Belgian made only 13 starts for the first team before Watford paid €8m for his signature.

On his move to Watford, Oularé explained: “I should have been more patient. Stay one or two more years. But I’m not going to say that I regret my choice either. What if I had been given opportunities at Watford and had broken through in England?

“But in retrospect I would approach it differently. I would think more about the transfers I would make. About my entourage and people I surround myself with. I was young. I trusted people quickly, sometimes too quickly. Unfortunately, football is not a world in which you are allowed to do that.”

Oularé returned to Belgium when he joined second division side Lierse Kempenzonen in the last window.

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“We were really close to him” – Director on the player he almost signed for Watford, fell in love with him http://sportwitness.co.uk/really-close-director-player-almost-signed-watford-fell-love/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/really-close-director-player-almost-signed-watford-fell-love/#respond Wed, 18 Oct 2023 10:16:18 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=443388 Filippo Giraldi spent over eight years at Watford before leaving them for Nottingham Forest in 2020. The Italian initially joined the Hornets as their scout in 2012 and was then promoted to technical director in 2014. TuttoMercatoWeb have published a detailed interview with Giraldi, where he revealed that Watford failed to sign Kim Min-jae in the

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Filippo Giraldi spent over eight years at Watford before leaving them for Nottingham Forest in 2020.

The Italian initially joined the Hornets as their scout in 2012 and was then promoted to technical director in 2014.

TuttoMercatoWeb have published a detailed interview with Giraldi, where he revealed that Watford failed to sign Kim Min-jae in the past.

The South Korea international arrived in Europe for the first time when Fenerbahçe signed him from Chinese side Beijing Guoan in 2021.

Giraldi has revealed he was offered a chance to sign the 26-year-old defender for Watford when he was at South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. He explained this when TMW asked him about the signings he failed to undertake.

“The player we were really close to and with whom we had daily contact both with the boy and with the agents was Kim min-jae,” he said.

“We were really close to him when he was still playing in Korea: he was reported to me through the scouts and I fell in love, an incredible resilience and a high-level personality. We actually got to the signing steps, but at that moment Jeonbuk decided not to disregard an agreement they had already made with Beijing Guoan: the boy was respectful and went to China. Even when he was there, we resumed contact, but at that moment we couldn’t carry out the operation there.”

Min-jae joined Napoli in 2022 and established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Serie A last season. This saw him linked to Manchester United but he ended up moving to Bayern Munich in the last window.

Giraldi has also told TMW that Fikayo Tomori was a step away from joining Watford after his loan spell at Derby County during the 2018/19 season. Tomori, who’s currently at AC Milan, was then owned by Chelsea.

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“I know I’ll win in the end” – Watford player fighting for spot, situation has left him frustrated at times http://sportwitness.co.uk/i-know-ill-win-end-watford-player-fighting-spot-situation-left-frustrated-times/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/i-know-ill-win-end-watford-player-fighting-spot-situation-left-frustrated-times/#respond Thu, 07 Sep 2023 12:06:30 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=436885 Watford’s Ken Sema has told Fotbollskanalen that he’s delighted to have returned to the Sweden squad for a competitive fixture. The 29-year-old’s previous seven appearances for the national team came in friendlies and his last competitive outing for Sweden was against France in the UEFA Nations League in September 2020. The Watford winger has now set

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Watford’s Ken Sema has told Fotbollskanalen that he’s delighted to have returned to the Sweden squad for a competitive fixture.

The 29-year-old’s previous seven appearances for the national team came in friendlies and his last competitive outing for Sweden was against France in the UEFA Nations League in September 2020.

The Watford winger has now set his sights on featuring against Estonia in the European qualifiers on Saturday.

“I’ve been around for a long time now. Many of you have seen me year after year. I haven’t played much but I have been fighting, as I always do. It’s clear that I hope I get to play,” he said.

The defender believes he could feature this weekend but also insisted that he doesn’t want to take his latest call-up “for granted”.

He arrived at Watford since 2018 and has been a regular since the start of the 2019/20 season, but that didn’t help him feature regularly for his country.

In the last two years, Sema has made only three appearances for Sweden, and this has left him frustrated at times.

“It’s been tough, that’s how it is. I’ve played at a high level in the Premier League, I played every game and every minute in Italy when I could and still, I haven’t really got the chance. But I’ve always been here and I’ve always tried. I come in with a good feeling and energy,” Sema explained.

“I know I’ll win in the end. I’ll fight. I’ve always done it. I’ve played in teams like Ljungskile and Östersund and always took that path – and I got to the Premier League. There are many who didn’t think it was possible, but everything is possible.”

Earlier on Thursday, Sweden manager Janne Andersson has admitted that he’s already decided the starting lineup for the upcoming clash.

“I have the XI very ready and we will work a bit match-oriented with it in training,” he said.

According to another report from Fotbollskanalen, Andersson is set to start the Watford player against Estonia.

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Watford are in ‘complete agreement’ to sign striker – ‘Everything is ready’ for transfer http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-complete-agreement-sign-striker-everything-ready-transfer/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-complete-agreement-sign-striker-everything-ready-transfer/#respond Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:06:53 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=433623 Kalmar FF star Mileta Rajović is getting closer towards completing a switch to Watford, according to reports from Sweden. The striker has managed eight goals and two assists from 22 games since he joined Kalmar from Danish side Næstved at the start of this year. This hasn’t gone unnoticed and has caught the Hornets’ attention.

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Kalmar FF star Mileta Rajović is getting closer towards completing a switch to Watford, according to reports from Sweden.

The striker has managed eight goals and two assists from 22 games since he joined Kalmar from Danish side Næstved at the start of this year. This hasn’t gone unnoticed and has caught the Hornets’ attention.

Expressen state Watford want the 24-year-old and hope to sign him before the window closes.

It’s claimed the Championship side have tabled a 16m [likely in SEK = €1.3m] bid and are currently in talks with the Swedish club for his transfer. If the two clubs were to reach an agreement, Rajović is set to sign a long-term contract at Vicarage Road.

FotbollDirekt state the Dane’s time at Kalmar is about to end as he’s set to join Valérien Ismaël’s side.

The website explains that Watford are in ‘complete agreement’ with Kalmar and also with the player for personal terms. They add ‘everything is ready’ for the transfer.

Rajović missed his side’s 2-1 win over Tvååkers IF in the cup competition on Wednesday. FotbollDirekt say this could be because he’s ‘reported to travel’ to England to finalise the move to Watford.

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Brighton and Newcastle ‘real options’ for transfer – Player could ‘force’ move to either http://sportwitness.co.uk/brighton-and-newcastle-real-option-for-player-pl-duos-interest-in-signing-has-gained-strength/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/brighton-and-newcastle-real-option-for-player-pl-duos-interest-in-signing-has-gained-strength/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:07:48 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=430201 Earlier this month, journalist Christian Martin stated Brighton & Hove Albion have made contact to sign Watford’s Yáser Asprilla. The Seagulls aren’t the only Premier League side as Newcastle United are also in the mix. That’s according to Antena 2, who state the 19-year-old wants to leave the Hornets and has four ‘real options’ this

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Earlier this month, journalist Christian Martin stated Brighton & Hove Albion have made contact to sign Watford’s Yáser Asprilla. The Seagulls aren’t the only Premier League side as Newcastle United are also in the mix.

That’s according to Antena 2, who state the 19-year-old wants to leave the Hornets and has four ‘real options’ this summer. Brighton and Newcastle are two of them.

Earlier claims talked about Real Madrid’s interest but this possibility has been dismissed. They state Real Sociedad are the only La Liga side to have shown interest in the Watford player.

From England, it’s claimed both Roberto De Zerbi’s side and the Magpies are ‘seeking’ to secure Asprilla’s services. The report further adds the Premier League duo’s interest to sign the Colombia international has ‘gained strength’.

A move to The Amex will see the youngster feature in the Europa League while Newcastle can offer Champions League football next season. The fourth option for the player is to move to FC Porto.

Watford are in the Championship and Asprilla’s desire is to make a switch to the top division. Therefore, Antena 2 state he ‘would force’ a move, if there’s a firm offer.

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Brighton initiate contact to sign Colombian – Player also followed by Real Madrid for ‘long time’ http://sportwitness.co.uk/brighton-initiate-contact-sign-colombian-player-also-followed-real-madrid-long-time/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/brighton-initiate-contact-sign-colombian-player-also-followed-real-madrid-long-time/#respond Tue, 01 Aug 2023 09:43:55 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=427995 Brighton & Hove Albion are in the picture to sign Watford’s Yáser Asprilla, according to a report from Colombia. The 19-year-old joined the Hornets in 2022 and finished the previous season with a goal and two assists from 39 games. He starred for Colombia at the U20 World Cup, scoring two goals from four matches

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Brighton & Hove Albion are in the picture to sign Watford’s Yáser Asprilla, according to a report from Colombia.

The 19-year-old joined the Hornets in 2022 and finished the previous season with a goal and two assists from 39 games. He starred for Colombia at the U20 World Cup, scoring two goals from four matches and that has seen him arouse interest from European clubs.

According to journalist Christian Martin, relayed by Antena 2, Brighton are one of the clubs interested in signing the Watford player.

He claims Roberto De Zerbi’s side have already asked Watford for the conditions needed to secure Asprilla’s services. Martin further states the youngster has also been followed by Real Madrid for a ‘long time’.

As well as these two clubs, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund are interested in the South American.

Antena 2 state sources close to the clubs have informed the journalist of their interest in Asprilla. Their title states Real Madrid, Napoli and BVB all offer €4.5m for the player but Martin hasn’t mentioned this nor has it been backed within the report.

Asprilla’s contract at Watford expires in 2026.

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Versatile player has already completed Watford medical – Only official announcement is missing http://sportwitness.co.uk/versatile-player-already-completed-watford-medical-official-announcement-missing/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/versatile-player-already-completed-watford-medical-official-announcement-missing/#respond Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:42:14 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=426181 Watford are edging closer to completing a deal for KAA Gent’s Giorgi Chakvetadze. That’s according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who took to Twitter to state the 23-year-old is set to join the Hornets on a loan deal with an option to buy. He claims the attacking midfielder completed his medical tests with Watford on Friday, signed

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Watford are edging closer to completing a deal for KAA Gent’s Giorgi Chakvetadze.

That’s according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who took to Twitter to state the 23-year-old is set to join the Hornets on a loan deal with an option to buy.

He claims the attacking midfielder completed his medical tests with Watford on Friday, signed the contract the same day and also took pictures wearing the English club’s shirt.

Tavolieri adds the Championship side can make the Georgia international’s stay permanent for a fee of just over €2m. Should they take up this option, the Jupiler Pro League side will be entitled to receive a percentage of a fee from his future sale.

The journalist states it’s a ‘done deal’ and the two clubs are sorting out the last details [bureaucratic] before the player’s loan move to Vicarage Road is made official.

Even though Chakvetadze prefers to operate as an attacking midfielder, he was also used on the left wing and as a central midfielder last season, where he managed a goal and nine assists from 47 games.

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Watford have shown ‘most interest’ in signing – Club and player want transfer, €4m needed http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-shown-interest-signing-club-player-want-transfer-e4m-needed/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-shown-interest-signing-club-player-want-transfer-e4m-needed/#respond Sat, 08 Jul 2023 09:10:42 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=422704 Watford are one of the clubs in the race to sign Barcelona youngster Chadi Riad in the summer window. The defender’s deal expires in 2024 and the La Liga side have an option to extend it for a year. The two parties are aware they will not continue together next season and are looking for

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Watford are one of the clubs in the race to sign Barcelona youngster Chadi Riad in the summer window.

The defender’s deal expires in 2024 and the La Liga side have an option to extend it for a year. The two parties are aware they will not continue together next season and are looking for the best possible solution in this window.

That’s according to Sport, who explain the Catalan club have already received offers from clubs in Spain and the Championship, where Watford are in the mix.

Among these clubs, it’s said the Hornets and UD Almería are the two to have shown ‘most interest’ in the 20-year-old.

The newspaper adds second division Spanish clubs, Sporting de Gijón and Andorra, along with Eredivisie side RKC Waalwjik, are also looking at the centre-back.

Xavi Hernández’s side are ready to let the Moroccan leave either on loan or in a permanent deal for around €4m.

If it’s the former, the report states Barca will extend his deal until 2025 and then include a purchase option.

Riad has made only one appearance for Barcelona’s senior team and that came in their 2-1 win over CA Osasuna last season.

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Watford ‘did not miss opportunity’ to sign player for free – 3-year contract ‘already defined’ http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-not-miss-opportunity-sign-player-free-3-year-contract-already-defined/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-not-miss-opportunity-sign-player-free-3-year-contract-already-defined/#respond Wed, 14 Jun 2023 09:29:24 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=417062 Rhys Healey could return to England and join Watford for free in the summer, according to TuttoMercatoWeb. The Manchester-born striker spent the last three years at Toulouse. On Tuesday, the Ligue 1 side confirmed he’ll leave when his deal with them expires at the end of this month. Watford, who finished 11th last season, are

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Rhys Healey could return to England and join Watford for free in the summer, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.

The Manchester-born striker spent the last three years at Toulouse. On Tuesday, the Ligue 1 side confirmed he’ll leave when his deal with them expires at the end of this month.

Watford, who finished 11th last season, are aiming to ‘return to greatness’. For this reason, they are planning to reconstruct their squad for next season, starting from the attack. This is where the 28-year-old would fit in.

It’s claimed the Hornets ‘did not miss the opportunity’ to sign the attacker for free. TMW further add the Championship side have ‘already defined’ a three-year deal for him. It now remains to be seen whether this claim will be backed up in England.

Healey, who scored two goals from four games for Toulouse, was forced to miss most of last season due to a serious knee injury he suffered in August 2022. He regained full fitness and returned to action in May.

During the 2021/22 season, Healey scored 22 goals and registered four assists from 37 games. Watford would be hoping for him to replicate the same form next season.

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Club ‘like’ Watford player for summer – Belief transfer will ‘cost no more than’ €20-30m http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-like-watford-player-summer-belief-transfer-will-cost-no-e20-30m/ http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-like-watford-player-summer-belief-transfer-will-cost-no-e20-30m/#respond Mon, 10 Apr 2023 11:15:15 +0000 http://sportwitness.co.uk/?p=404187 AC Milan are looking to bolster their attack in the summer and have included Watford’s João Pedro in their target list. That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin, who made this claim during an interview with MilanNews.it. Pedro has mainly played as a striker but has also been used across other attacking positions at

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AC Milan are looking to bolster their attack in the summer and have included Watford’s João Pedro in their target list.

That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin, who made this claim during an interview with MilanNews.it.

Pedro has mainly played as a striker but has also been used across other attacking positions at Watford this season. He’s managed nine goals and four assists from 31 league games.

Bianchin claims the Serie A side like the 21-year-old, who is identified as a young target by Stefano Pioli’s side.

When asked about Milan’s attacking options for the next window, he said: “There are two types of profiles that Milan are thinking about, starting from the premise that it is a matter of budget that depends both on fourth place and on the [Rafael] Leão question.

“Profile A: young striker, like João Pedro of Watford, who they like, he’s in view, costs no more than €20-30m, with a salary that is still affordable and that can see Milan as a stage in his growth.

“Profile B: a slightly more experienced striker, with a higher salary, but a lower price tag, who can give experience and immediate guarantees. The attack, however, has become a priority: the performance of Rebić and Origi means that Milan cannot classify investment on a striker as secondary.”

Pedro’s deal is until 2028 and his current valuation is around €24m. Neither the journalist nor MilanNews.it have provided an insight into Pedro’s salary at Vicarage Road.

Last month, Watford sporting director Cristiano Giaretta revealed the Brazilian has drawn interest from the Premier League when asked about the reports linking him to Milan. The Hornets chief also confirmed no club had approached him for the forward.

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