Raphael Santos Borre - previously reported a month ago. Sounds like it could be us he is coming to. We will know for sure in July. He might end up being loaned out anyway! https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2021/05/30/watford-rafael-santos-borre/
“Obviously, survival in the Premier League is fundamental. Obviously, we want to invest resources to stay in the league.” (Giampaolo Pozzo) “We need to strengthen in some positions because even though the squad was amazing, the level is going to radically change….We are not going to change the whole team, but we are going to strengthen some positions with the condition that players we sign for Watford must be better than what we have, otherwise it doesn’t make sense.” (Cristiano Giaretta) Players such as Kwadwo Baah, Mattie Pollock and Darrin Enahoro are young players signed for the future. Ashley Fletcher is a low-risk hopeful punt (because he is a free transfer and will not be earning high wages). However, the comments of Giampaolo Pozzo and Cristiano Giaretta give the impression that there will be some additions to improve key positions in the team, but these signings will probably not be announced before 1st July. All the comments, which I have read, seem to believe that Josh Doig will be signing for Watford. Chris Wheatley (Arsenal reporter for Football London) has stated on twitter that Arsenal will not be signing Josh Doig. Ashley Young has rejected a new contract with Inter Milan and is negotiating with Watford over a one year contract (as reported by the Watford Observer and other sources). I suspect that there may also be an option for a one year extension. He has already stated his desire to return to Watford. Argentinian sources (including TNT Sports Argentina) claim that Rafael Santos Borré has an agreement to sign for a Premier League club (not one of the “bigger clubs”) and the club will be announced on 1st July. Brighton have also been linked, but the general belief is that he will sign for Watford. The Colombian striker has a £26 million release clause in his contract, which will end on 30th June when he will be out-of-contract. The situation with Rodrigo de Paul looks the least promising, but Adam Levethal believes that there is a real possibility that he may come to Watford. Atletico Madrid are supposed to have offered €20 million plus 20 year old centre back Nehuén Pérez (a bright prospect, but who struggled for game time while on loan at Granada in 2020/21). AC Milan are rumoured to have offered €25 million and Jens Petter Hauge, but Udinese are reported to want €40 million. I think that I remember Adam Levental suggesting that Udinese would like as much as €50 million, but that clubs were unlikely to be in a position to pay that amount this year due to the financial impact of the pandemic. He claimed that Rodrigo de Paul would have come to Watford last season if it had not been for relegation and that the Pozzos think that de Paul’s value will increase if he gains exposure in the Premier League. The situation with Lewis Ferguson is unclear and Aberdeen appear to be demanding more than Watford are prepared to pay. Watford have also been linked with 23 year old Jon Moncayola of Osasuna (valued at €12 million) and 20 year old Danilo of Palmeiras so they appear to looking for another defensive midfielder. UOL Esporte claim that Watford have offered €12 million for Danilo, but that Palmeiras want €15 million. I am looking forward to 1st July and the following period when everything will become clearer!
It looks as though Watford will not continue their interest in either Jon Moncayola of Osasuna or Danilo of Palmeiras. They seem to have decided on Imran Louza (another young midfielder) who is a slightly cheaper option, but this scouting report suggests that he is a very good prospect. https://totalfootballanalysis.com/a...020-21-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics
Possible replacement for Sarr if he does too well for us to keep hold of A player who can cross with his right or score with his left gives plenty of options
Blimey - Danilo apparently has a release clause of €100m in his contract... http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-m...onfirmed-players-staff-club-playing-hardball/
Palmeiras lost 21.7 million Euros in 2020, but they own only either 60% or 70% of the rights to Danilo (depending on which source you read). It sounds as if they were hoping to get more money from Watford, but I think that they have miscalculated. Gino Pozzo will not pay above the going rate (especially taking into account the financial impact of the pandemic). Palmeiras wanted to start negotiating at 15 million Euros, which is more than the going rate for this type of player at the moment.
