Watford FC closing in on 7-figure transfer for seven-goal winger - Gino Pozzo may be about to strike gold | OneFootball

The Hornets are closing in on a deal to sign Metz forward Pape Diallo this summer.

Watford are reportedly closing in on the signing of Metz forward Pape Diallo, with the Hornets believed to be in advanced talks over a £4.3 million agreement.

The club are making early preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign under Paulo Pezzolano, and are prepared to spend a hefty amount of their transfer budget on the versatile Senegalese attacker.

Watford have already made three signings during the summer transfer window – all on free transfers – with Hector Kyprianou, Marc Bola and Nathan Baxter arriving to Vicarage Road.

Now, it appears that Watford are showing ambition and unleashing the funds on a forward that can help bolster their promotion hopes, as owner Gino Pozzo focuses on the Hertfordshire outfit solely instead of splitting time between them and Italian outfit Udinese, as they look to end a four-season exodus from the top-flight.

Watford closing in on £4.3m deal for Metz forward Pape Diallo

As per journalist Nizaar Kinsella on X, Watford are in advanced talks to sign Pape Diallo from Metz, with the reported fee believed to be £4.3 million.

His tweet revealed that the move is part of Hornets owner Pozzo’s push to get the club challenging for promotion, following the arrivals of Kyprianou, Bola and Baxter.

At just 21 years of age, Diallo came through the youth ranks of Génération Foot back in his homeland of Senegal, before moving to France to represent Metz in his first-ever move.

He was introduced in the 2022-23 Ligue 2 season but played just once, but he would feature more prominently the season after in the French top-flight, making 16 appearances and scoring twice, with his first goal for the club coming against Monaco.

Relegation back down to the second tier followed that season, but Diallo managed to have his breakthrough term in the last campaign, registering seven goals and four assists from 28 games, playing a fundamental role in their achievement of reaching the relegation play-off and then defeating Reims to achieve promotion once again.

After proving his ability to return consistent attacking contributions in the second tier of a European pyramid, Watford now believe Diallo will be able to do that in the Championship to aid their bid for promotion.

Pape Diallo’s versatility will boost Watford’s frontline if a deal is completed

One quality Pape Diallo possesses that will stand the Watford forward department in good stead is his versatility. Despite normally occupying a left-wing role, Diallo is able to play on the opposite flank, as well as through the middle in his time with Metz.

Watford boss Pezzolano will be delighted to close in on someone who can be so flexible with where he plays, particularly when rotation is key during a relentless 46-game campaign.

If Diallo signs on the dotted line, you do imagine he will predominantly play on the left-side, with the Hornets only having Kwadwo Baah as a recognised option in their squad in that position.

The increased competition will only benefit the squad as the players push each other to the limits for a starting spot.

Possessing excellent pace, nimble footwork and a desire to cut inside on his right foot to make a difference, Diallo could be exactly what Watford need to have regular ammunition at the top end of the pitch, and it could be a justified use of funds if he can hit the ground running.