Watford have been linked with Colombian starlet Neyser Villarreal recently but Spanish outlet Sport has detailed interest from Newcastle United and FC Barcelona.
Watford might not be the promotion-chasing force they were before in the Championship but they’re still in a position to push for the play-offs.
Tom Cleverley has worked well with what he’s had at his disposal this season but the wide feeling among fans is that he desperately needs backing by the club’s owners.
Watford FC boss Tom Cleverley
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
Sizeable profits have been made on some big player sales at Vicarage Road yet investment into the team has been minimal. Nevertheless, targets will be on the radar for the summer and player linked with the Hornets has been Colombian attacker Neyser Villarreal.
Recent reports said Watford were facing an uphill battle amid high-profile interest though, and Spanish outlet Sport has now named two of the big admirers of Villarreal.
According to Sport, Newcastle United are also keen on the 19-year-old forward while he has been offered to Catalan giants FC Barcelona.
The La Liga side have continued to track Villarreal, monitoring his progress and transfer situation ahead of a potential move. A switch to Europe is being eyed with his deal expiring in December 2025 but it remains to be seen exactly where he heads.
Porto have also been linked.
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An uphill battle
Watford have a good track record for finding and developing young South American talents but they look to be facing an uphill battle in the pursuit of Villarreal.
Newcastle United, FC Barcelona and FC Porto are all more attractive options and they’ve got the money to back it up.
What could work in the Hornets’ favour is the offer of a quicker step up to first-team football. Moves elsewhere, especially Barcelona, would likely see him start out in academy or development sides whereas perhaps Watford would bring him straight into the senior squad.
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Watford stadium Vicarage Road
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
The summer ahead for Watford
Watford could still push their way into the play-offs but that is looking increasingly unlikely. A mid-table finish and a subsequent stay in the Championship looks to be on the cards.
To bridge the gap to the league’s top sides and become a true promotion contender again, the Pozzo family simply have to invest.
It’s hard to believe they don’t have the financial capacity to do so given some of the huge player sales in recent years. Fan pressure is growing and growing and they will be demanding backing of Cleverley or whoever else is in charge come the summer.