Watford with some interesting activity in the transfer window... Just stolen this from t'internet... Watford, owned by the Pozzo family, have just signed 18 year-old forward Adalberto Penaranda from Udinese, also owned by the Pozzo family. He has spent the first half of the season at Granada, owned by the Pozzo family, and after joining Pozzo-owned Watford will be loaned to Pozzo club Granada... All seems VERY fishy to me...!
I just find it weird that one family can own 3 different clubs, and just move players seamlessly between them, as and when they please...
Not to mention, Watford signed Rennes midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, and immediately loaned him to Granada. Just all seems very weird!
Here is an interview with the Watford Sporting Director who attempts to explain these transfers and subsequent loans http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/14246073.Dowling_lifts_lid_on_Doucoure_and_Penaranda_deals/
I mean, if FFP was still relevant, this is the perfect way to get around it; Step 1 - Buy some tinpot club in Latvia, in addition to the Premier League club that you own Step 2 - Buy as many superstars as you like for said tinpot Latvian team, spending as much money as you desire Step 3 - Loan (with £0 wage contribution and no fee), or transfer at £0, these players to your Premier League club Sorted!
They bend all the rules, they did the other year with all their longs. 95% of their players are done through their owners other clubs. Odion Ighalo was the same. They had him on loan from one of their owners other clubs who then "terminated his contract" and Watford signed him on a free transfer Obviously its out the FA's juristiction but UEFA should do something about people owning multiple clubs
Well without FFP, I guess it's not so much an issue. But what they are doing is strange, I just don't understand it!
I though they got into bother tax wise for this last year. I know there was some media coverage re Watford being the Udinese B team & they were dodging payments on transferring players.
