Could Vata be on his way to the Premier League?placeholder image
Could Vata be on his way to the Premier League? | Getty Images
Crystal Palace and Arsenal are two clubs linked with a potential Championship transfer swoop come the New Year.
Arsenal remain laser focused on their quest for Premier League triumph this season but the London outfit continues to look to the future when it comes to investing in future stars.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Rovers ace Igor Tyjon this summer with two bids of over £1 million reportedly rejected by the second tier side. However, transfer guru Alan Nixon now claims that Blackburn are ready to cash in on the 17-year-old.
Blackburn Rovers ready to sell Arsenal summer target
A product of the Ewood Park youth academy, the England youth international was handed a first team debut in the 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Bradford City. He had previously been given two very short cameos in the Championship last season.
Speaking after his debut, former Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace said: "Igor has been a standout young player since I have been at the football club. He had a fantastic pre-season. He's just played for England in the week. I was delighted to give him his debut today. He has worked, very, very hard. He's a 16-year-old boy and we have to remember that. He is certainly one for the future."
Tyjon’s contract is set to expire next summer which could force Blackburn Rovers’ hand in sanctioning a January exit. Should they fail to do so, then the forward could walk away for free come the summer, which Nixon describes as a ‘boost’ for Arsenal.
Crystal Palace and Fulham linked with £20m Watford forward
Meanwhile, another Championship club who could receive a bid from a Premier League side is Watford. The Hornets are set to have a battle on their hands to hold onto striker Rocco Vata in the New Year.
The Daily Mail claim that the 20-year-old is on the radar of both Crystal Palace and Fulham, as well as Eintracht Frankfurt and Atalanta. The Eagles in particular have a reputation for helping EFL talent make the step up to the top flight - Adam Wharton, Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have all done that at Selhurst Park.
The report claims that, while Vata is out injured for another two months, he is valued at £20 million by Watford. The striker had another two-and-a-half years to run on his Vicarage Road deal.
Vata signed for Watford from Celtic in 2024 and managed three goals and four assists last season. The forward netted important goals against Portsmouth and West Brom this season before his injury.
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