Kwame Poku features: 5 EFL stars who must be on Watford FC's transfer shortlist | OneFootball

Here we have looked at five EFL players who should be on Watford's transfer shortlist.

Highlights

Tom Cleverley has been given the Watford FC manager’s position on a permanent basis after impressing at the end of last season.

That means the former Manchester United midfielder will oversee his first transfer window as manager.

The Hornets disappointed massively last season, as they finished in 15th place, 17 points adrift of the play-off places, with them finishing only six points ahead of the relegation zone.

Cleverley has a lot of work ahead of him to turn Watford into play-off contenders once again, and for that to happen, he may be looking at the transfer window as the ideal chance to improve his options.

With that said, here at Football League World, we have looked at five EFL players who must be on the club’s shortlist…

Lee Nicholls

It is likely that Watford are going to be looking for a new goalkeeper this summer, as they currently only have Daniel Bachmann as their recognised senior goalkeeper at the club.

Bachmann did relatively well last season, as he kept 11 clean sheets in 27 league games, but Cleverley is going to want more competition in that area of the team.

This is why Lee Nicholls may be the perfect addition, as the 31-year-old has proven to be very good at Championship level in the last three seasons.

Nicholls has been with Huddersfield Town, and he has been impressive in between the sticks, keeping 35 clean sheets in 115 games.

Last season was disappointing for the goalkeeper and the club, but he wasn’t the only one, as the Terriers were overall disappointing as they suffered relegation.

But this means Watford could take advantage of that and try to lure Nicholls away from Huddersfield this summer. The shot-stopper is still under contract, but Watford would be able to offer Championship football, and surely that would interest Nicholls at this point in his career.

Ethan Laird

Ethan Laird will be someone that Cleverley knows a bit of, as the defender came through at Old Trafford when he was at the club.

Laird joined Birmingham City last summer, and it was a mixed season for the right-back, as he played over 20 games for the Blues in the league, but he also had injury concerns that saw him miss several matches.

The defender now finds himself in League One after the Blues suffered relegation last season, and it is a division that he has done well in the past with MK Dons.

However, he would ideally like to continue playing in the second tier, and Watford could potentially be a way out for the player.

The Hornets do already have Jeremy Ngakia and Ryan Andrews on their books, two young defenders, but adding a player like Laird would surely be beneficial.

Laird has plenty of experience in the Championship, and he is a modern-day full-back, as he can play as a natural right-back as well as a wing-back if needed.

It was an area of the pitch where Watford struggled last season, so adding a player like Laird would help solve that issue.

Sorba Thomas

Sorba Thomas is expected to be a wanted man this summer, as he’s impressed in the Championship in previous campaigns, and it is unlikely he will continue with Huddersfield in League One.

Thomas could be a very smart addition for Watford, as he’s proven to be a creative force.

The Welshman has assisted 31 goals in 125 appearances for Huddersfield, and with him potentially a cheap option, he could be very useful in more ways than one.

Thomas is able to play on both the right and left-hand sides of the attack, which would give Cleverley a useful option, as it is always good for a manager to have versatile players in his squad.

Furthermore, Thomas isn’t afraid of playing further back on the pitch, as he can also play in a wing-back role on either side, which again would bring added competition and more options for Cleverley, as at times the squads can be stretched through injuries and suspensions.

Kwame Poku

Kwame Poku is likely going to be a player that a few clubs keep an eye on this summer, after the attacker impressed enormously last season.

Poku has been a real attacking threat for Peterborough United in the last two seasons, scoring 15 goals and recorded 18 assists in 74 League One appearances.

These numbers have likely put him on the radar of a few Championship clubs, and Watford should be one of the sides interested in making a move.

At times last season, Watford lacked a real cutting edge at the top end of the pitch, and this will need addressing if they are to get anywhere near the top six.

Yasper Asprilla could leave Vicarage Road this summer, and if he does, Poku could be a good replacement.

The 22-year-old has played in the second tier before, and while he didn’t reach the heights of League One, he would be a much better player were he to return this summer.

Poku is still young and lacks some experience, but he would be a player worth investing in for the Hornets and one that could flourish under the right circumstances.

Devante Cole

Devante Cole now finds himself without a club, as his contract at Barnsley has officially expired.

The 29-year-old has ended his three-year stay with the Yorkshire side, during which he scored 43 goals in 152 games.

Cole’s last two campaigns have been very impressive, netting 15 goals in 45 league games in the 2022/23 season, and he netted 18 times last season.

He is a player who has really found his form in front of goal, and that is likely going to make him an attractive option for clubs.

The striker has only played 24 times in the second tier, but given how well he has done in the last year or two, he could be worth a gamble for Watford.

Similar to Poku, the Hornets need to improve their attack, and adding someone like Cole, who is a free agent, seems like a no-brainer.

There is little risk in the deal, and he provides Cleverley with another useful attacking option. Cole has proven to be a havoc recently. He’s able to play with his back to goal, but he also has the ability to run at defenders and take them on.

He may not be a standout addition, but Cole could be a very useful pick-up on a free transfer and could end up being the difference in where the club finishes the season.