Methinks that Ekstrand will get a run out or two, possibly U21 and FA Cup and he will swap with Belkalem. I cannot see all of our foreign players staying, if not necessarily leaving permanently. The wages will most likely scupper any deal for Adebayor. Holebas, Paredes (personally I like him but is he really good enough? Many think not) Diamante, Oulare have all to varying degrees flattered to deceive. So have Berghuis and Jurado who are likely to stay. I am happy to allow QSF his indulgence in Jurado but even he can see he is not yet up to the task. I think that there's plenty of room for manoeuvre with the squad and the form of Ake has been a bonus. No idea who we're likely to bring in and I wouldn't like to say. The only venture I would suggest relies on several factors: injury to our current front line and the continued mid table obscurity of his Championship team... Charlie Austin. By no means am I saying he's even remotely a target but I think he fits the bill. I suspect that there are cheaper continental (and further afield) on our radar.
Watford are in talks with Roma over the loan signing of 22-year-old forward Juan Iturbe. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian - http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/seri...rd-in-pressing-su-iturbe-la-situazione-765801)
Good update by Kevin Affleck: please log in to view this image NEWS / TRANSFERS / WATFORD FC Juan Manuel Iturbe on the radar but Watford sitting tight ahead of transfer window DEC 15, 2015BY KEVIN AFFLECK0 Juan Manuel Iturbe has admirers in the corridors of power at Vicarage Road but there have been no formal talks about bringing him to Watford as the club are still sizing up if and then where they need to strengthen. Iturbe, the Argentine forward with a big reputation, is being heavily linked in the Italian press with a move to Watford but the Hornets’ key decision makers are accustomed to being used as a possible destination, and a vehicle for driving up the price, for out of favour or highly-rated Serie A players. Simone Zaza, the striker who is down the pecking order at Juventus, was being talked about as a January target for the Hornets a fortnight ago but we were told there is no substance to it. please log in to view this image Iturbe, 22, has struggled to justify the £17.4m Roma paid Verona for him in the summer of last year and has scored just once this season, struggling under the weight of pressure and expectation that comes with playing for the capital’s main club. He does not immediately strike you as the type of readymade player Quique Sanchez Flores is seeking. His wages are likely to be at the top end of Watford’s pay scale and Sanchez Flores has spoken a lot about any January recruits needing to have the right physical qualities if they are to join his seventh-place team. Iturbe is 5ft 7in and, you suspect, would be at a similar end of the scale to Steven Berghuis when it comes to the time required to acclimatise to football in England and life under Sanchez Flores. please log in to view this image Watford will not be looking to spend anything like the money Roma would be keen to recoup on the player so a permanent deal is out of the question while a loan move would require a sizeable loan fee to be paid, something the financially prudent Scott Duxbury and Gino Pozzo will be loath to shell out on a player who is not be a certain starter. In addition, Jose Holebas and Victor Ibarbo have struggled after treading the same path from Stadio Olimpico to Vicarage Road. The recruitment team are extremely relaxed about Watford’s transfer plans for January and expect to be one of the least active clubs in the league, a ringing endorsement of their previous transfer business and the surprising number of existing players to emerge as Premier League regulars. If a target becomes available or an area needs to be strengthened they have the resources, the scouting network and the relationships with key agents to move swiftly. They are, we understand, waiting to see how the team emerge from the spell of four Premier League games in 13 days over the festive period and how deep Sanchez Flores delves into his playing resources. please log in to view this image The head coach knows his squad will be tested during games against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City and there were signs of tiredness and fatigue against Sunderland on Saturday. He would like to rotate, where possible, but he is reluctant to veer away from what has been so successful and take risks by parachuting in the likes of Victor Ibarbo, Steven Berghuis, Obbi Oulare and Alessandro Diamanti, none of whom have started a game. Adlène Guedioura is the closest of all the late summer signings to starting. Some would like to see Diamanti and Ibarbo get a fair crack of the whip before a decision is made on their future but if they do not get a look in over Christmas, when it could be a case of all hands on deck, then it is difficult to see them being involved for the rest of the season. Their loan deals could be terminated and more suitable options found to take up the sought-after foreign spots in the Premier League squad which is resubmitted at the end of next month. Two of the 17 non home-grown spots are likely to become available if new homes are found for Jose Holebas and Essaid Belkalem.
Exclusive: Miguel Layun “happy” in Porto as permanent switch looms DEC 16, 2015BY KEVIN AFFLECK0 Miguel Layun admits it was a tough decision to swap life in the Premier League for Porto at the 11th hour of the transfer window, a move we understand is likely to be made permanent in the summer. Quique Sanchez Flores was taken aback when the Mexican told him he was going to accept an offer to play in Portugal as the head coach is an admirer of the utility wide man and fielded him in each of the first four league games. It is unclear how the shock move come about – some say his agent pushed for the switch, another said Layun feared for his place in the national team if he was not going to be a regular while one source said he was allowed to leave to make room in the squad for a last-minute foreign signing which, in the end, did not materialise. please log in to view this image “It was not easy for everyone,” Layun told us exclusively in the aftermath of Porto’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Chelsea last week. “Things happened very quick. I received a call that I should find some place. I spoke with my agent and we had a very good offer that came from Porto. I decided to come here. I do not regret any decision I take. It was a hard decision because it was very special for me to play in the Premier League, but things happen for a reason.” Watford received a £500,000 loan fee for the 27-year-old, who is contracted at Vicarage Road until 2019, and negotiated an £8m buyout clause in the season-long loan deal. Layun has started everyone of Porto’s matches since he moved to Estadio do Dragao, except the Champions League win over Chelsea, scoring three times. The coach, Luis Castro, likes his versatility – he started at left-back at Stamford Bridge and finished up at right-back – and Layun is loving life in warmer climes with three of his countryman, Hector Herrera, Jesus Manuel Corona, Raul Gudino to keep him company. The likelihood is that Porto will activate the clause when the loan ends on June 1. please log in to view this image “I belong to Watford but Porto have the option to buy my contract,” he said. “I will wait until they decide what is going on. I just work and be ready to defend the colours I am in now. I can’t speak bad of Watford or bad of Porto. I am very happy at Porto and am trying to do my best. I’m trying to reach the goals we have with my team now – and I’m excited Watford are doing very well.” Layun’s last game for Watford was as a second-half substitute against Manchester City, a result that left the Hornets with three points and two goals after four games. Now they sit in seventh. “I saw Watford results,” said Layun. “I knew [they would do well] as they are a very good team, very strong and they know how to play the Premier League. I am very excited for them as I have a lot of friends there. They are also happy because I am doing well at Porto.” please log in to view this image Sanchez Flores has spoken often about his wish to have more than “13, 14, 15 players” he feels comfortable using. Layun would have been another trusted option had he stayed. “I like him [Quique] very much too,” said Layun. “He’s a very special person. I just had a few weeks to work with him but he’s a very good coach and is a guy that knows how to get the best form you.”
Looks like this one might actually happen... Quite excited tbh, he looks like the sort of tricky unpredictable winger that Berghuis was meant to be. Hopefully it won't take him as long to acclimatise. Apparently Ibarbo's loan would be cancelled as part of the deal too http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/16/watford-juan-iturbe-roma
Now MORE than a rumour: Watford weighing up deal for Iturbe or Adebayor DEC 18, 2015BY KEVIN AFFLECK0 Quique Sanchez Flores has confirmed his admiration for Juan Manuel Iturbe as Watford continue to size up whether to move for the Roma forward or Emmanuel Adebayor. Watford’s power brokers are completely relaxed about the prospect of any transfer dealings next month, confident that if they were able to attract a player of the calibre of Etienne Capoue in the summer when they were being tipped as relegation fodder then players are going to be queuing up to sign for a team established in the top half of the Premier League. We understand agents who were reluctant to send their players to Watford before a Premier League ball was kicked are now telling high-ranking people at the club they see Vicarage Road as a very attractive destination. please log in to view this image The Hornets are shopping in an even bigger pool than they did in the summer and it speaks volumes for the strides they have made that Iturbe, who cost £17.4m last year, and Adebayor, who has commanded £37m in transfer fees, are even considering joining the club. Roma’s sporting director confirmed informal talks have been held over Iturbe’s availability while chief executive Scott Duxbury and Sanchez Flores have held meetings with Adebayor. The head coach did not want to talk about Iturbe this morning when asked by Sky Sports – “I normally don’t talk about players that don’t belong to Watford” – but when pushed by WD Sport, he said: “He is a very good player. He has power, he shoots, he can cover different positions. He is a good player but at the moment he is not a player of Watford so we need to respect Roma and wait a little bit.” please log in to view this image Watford cannot officially open talks with Roma or the player until the window opens two weeks today and they are, we are told, keen to see how the squad emerges from the hectic festive period, and indeed how many of the peripheral players are used and how they perform, before making their move. History show Sanchez Flores has only used the January market once during his extensive coaching career to fortify his squad – and that was in his first job at Getafe. “My experience in the winter market is different to the summer,” he said. “You need to be completely right [when you sign a player in January]. If not, it’s better to keep and wait. I don’t remember signing a lot of players in January. If you need to sign a lot in January it is because something is wrong.” please log in to view this image Sanchez Flores has more say on transfers than Gianfranco Zola, Beppe Sannino or Slavisa Jokanovic as his bosses know it could be foolish not to tap into the contact list of someone who has worked at Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Benfica. While chief scout Filippo Giraldi, sporting director Luke Dowling, consultant Nicola Salerno and Gino Pozzo will compile a shortlist of targets and Duxbury, amongst other things, checks any deal stacks up financially, Sanchez Flores provides his input and likes to meet any player before a deal is agreed. “I love to meet the player,” he said. “For me the eye contact is important and the smell and the touch. I like to test them.” please log in to view this image Watford signed Luke Simpson, 21, this week to boost their goalkeeping resources but another senior gloveman may still arrive. “We check in January,” said the head coach. Asked whether Simpson, once he is registered with the Premier League in January, or Nathan Gartside will be the No 3 behind Heurelho Gomes and Giedruis Arlauskis, Sanchez Flores said: “It is not a question of numbers. You know what is the experience of [David] De Gea when I was at Atletico Madrid. He was No 3 [when I arrived] and finally he is No 1. It’s important to retain good young players for the club. I am happy with the signing [of Simpson].”
Overall a very confidence boosting article and a wonderful position for us to be in - a couple of things did strike me: "...players are going to be queuing up to sign for a team established in the top half of the Premier League..." - I know we're all excited about our current position, but "established" - I think not, just yet anyway. "...“I love to meet the player,” he [Flores] said. “For me the eye contact is important and the smell and the touch. I like to test them...”. The smell is important, really? Presumably to make sure that the player isn't a dipso.....or maybe exemplary personal hygiene is necessary to play at the top of the Premier League.
I just assumed he has a second job working for an aftershave company and if the players don't use the chosen brand or refuse to change then they are not welcome.
Watford linked with youngster after Aston Villa €11m summer bid SPORT WITNESSSport Witness Football View Discussions please log in to view this image Watford have been linked with a move for Lazio forward Keita Balde Diao in the January transfer window. In the past 18 months Aston Villa and Liverpool have both reportedly shown an interest in the forward with the Premier League sides tabling bids for the former Barcelona youth player. Calciomercato have reported on claims in the Italian media that Watford are monitoring the situation with Keita. The 20 year old has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Lazio side, and may need to move on to get games elsewhere. Watford’s owners the Pozzo family have brought in players from Italy in previous windows, and are currently close to sealing a deal for AS Roma winger Juan Iturbe. Lazio in the past have been reluctant to sell Keita because of his potential, but the Serie A side may need to raise funds to buy a central defender. We covered reports during the summer transfer window that Aston Villa were showing a serious interest in Keita after Liverpool tried to buy him last year. At the time it has been claimed the Premier League side had put in a bid of €11m but Lazio were holding out for €15m. Aston Villa didn’t put in an improved bid for the youngster, and therefore he remained in the Italian capital.
