“A bizarre link” – Spanish side seeking deal for Watford attacker in January: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Watford are set to field transfer interest in striker Rey Manaj this January, as per Fichajes.

The website reports that La Liga side Getafe are keen on a loan deal for the former Barcelona man after their own underwhelming start to the season.

Manaj joined the Hornets last summer in a deal from FC Barcelona, but his game time was limited to start the season. It then became non-existent when he picked up an injury back in August that has seen him miss out ever since.

With the above in mind, we asked our FLW writers if allowing Manaj to leave on loan would be the right move for Watford, or whether they should keep him in hope that he can contribute to their promotion push in the second half of the season.

Simmey Hannifin-Donaldson

I find this a bizarre link to be honest with you.

Whilst we haven’t seen a lot of Rey Manaj in a Watford shirt, nothing we have seen suggests he is cut out to play in the Spanish top flight.

So much so, that were he to leave in January, I don’t think Watford would miss him at all.

That said, if he does depart, the Hornets would likely need to bring in another striker just in terms of numbers as they would otherwise be looking light.

Talent wise, though, I don’t think it would be much of a loss.

Quiz: Did any of these 20 ex-Watford players ever actually score a goal for the club?

1 of 20

NATHAN AKE

SCORED DID NOT SCORE

Josh Cole

The Championship is a notoriously difficult division to adapt to and unfortunately for Manaj, he has failed to make a lasting impact at Watford this season.

Yet to score or provide an assist for the Hornets in this division, Manaj is currently below Keinan Davis and Vakoun Bayo in the pecking order at Vicarage Road and may be forced to watch on from the sidelines for the remainder of the campaign if he doesn’t leave in January.

Whereas a temporary exit in January ought to be on the cards for the 25-year-old, he could struggle to make an impression in La Liga for Getafe as he has never featured in this division during his career.

Unless the Spanish outfit are willing to guarantee Manaj game-time, Watford should be looking elsewhere if they are open to the possibility of loaning the forward out.

Adam Jones

This would be disappointing if he was to leave just one window after he joined.

However, his time at Vicarage Road hasn’t gone to plan so far because of an injury and with Joao Pedro, Keinan Davis and Vakoun Bayo available as other options, Slaven Bilic may be tempted to cash in considering he often plays just one up top.

When you look at the situation in depth though, Pedro often operates as a ten and Davis’ injury record hasn’t been great in the past 12 months so Manaj may be someone worth keeping.

He doesn’t have the best CV yet and that’s one reason why the Hornets may be willing to sell him after an underwhelming start – but he did score five goals in Serie A last season so he could grab some vital goals between now and the end of the season.

If an adequate replacement can be found though, he’s certainly someone they should be prepared to sell.