Latest Watford transfer news: Ismaila Sarr update, club joins Ryan Porteous race and Walid Cheddira | OneFootball

Watford will be looking for an instant return to the Premier League at the end of this season.

The 2022-23 season has been somewhat turbulent for the Hornets, as they are already on their second manager of the season after the sacking of Rob Edwards and the arrival of Slaven Bilic.

The Hornets are currently fourth in the table, three points ahead of seventh-place Preston North End but ten points behind leaders Burnley.

Edwards was sacked in the middle of September and since arriving at the club, Bilic has overseen 13 games in charge, winning seven of them.

The upcoming January transfer window is the first opportunity Bilic will have to make some changes to his squad as they look to keep up in the promotion chase.

Here at FLW, we have taken a look at all the latest transfer news regarding Watford FC…

Latest on Ismaila Sarr

It was first reported last week that Everton were keen on signing the Senegal international in the upcoming January transfer window as they look to improve their attacking options for the second half of the Premier League season.

It has since been reported by the Daily Mail, via Goodison News, that Everton are only willing to sign Sarr this January on a loan deal.

Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport, however, that Watford are not prepared to allow Sarr to leave Vicarage Road during the January transfer window unless they receive a “mega bid for him”.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace and other interested Premier League sides are not willing to pay the £45 million that would see the Hornets part with Sarr.

Sarr has only 18 months left on his deal at Vicarage Road and this upcoming transfer window may be a big test of Watford’s resolve.

Ryan Porteous

Watford still hold an interest in Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous but in the latest update from The Sun, they have now been joined by Championship rivals Hull City.

It was exclusively reported by Football League World at the beginning of the month that Norwich City, Sunderland, Watford, and West Brom are all keen on signing the defender in the upcoming transfer window.

Then, before Hibernian’s return to Scottish Premiership football, Porteous confirmed to Sky Sports that he is ready for a fresh challenge in a new league.

He said in an interview: “I think I do like the opportunity and the idea of moving to a different league and testing myself there.

“I think there’s a lot of boys that have left Scottish football that have went down and flourished, whether that be down south (England) or abroad as well. So, I’m open to ideas, and probably now it’s just trying to figure out the one that’s best suited to me.”

Quiz: Have any of these 25 ex-Watford players ever played for a Yorkshire based team?

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RICHARLISON

Walid Cheddira

Watford are interested in signing Moroccan striker Walid Cheddira, according to Tutto Udinese.

Cheddira was part of the Moroccan side that reached a World Cup semi-final against all odds. The striker failed to start any games in the tournament but did appear off the bench in the games against Spain and Portugal, with the latter seeing him be sent off in stoppage time.

The 24-year-old currently plays for Serie B side Bari, where this season he has made 12 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals, and providing five assists.

Now, it is believed his performances have gained the attention of the Hornets, who are weighing up a potential move in the upcoming January transfer window. However, even if Cheddira were to join Watford this January, it is more likely that the striker wouldn’t officially arrive at the club until the summer.