Watford FC facing new issue in race to sign £3m-rated star | OneFootball

Watford are in the market for a new full-back

Watford are facing competition from Ligue 2 outfit St Etienne in the race to sign Scottish international defender Max Johnston, who currently plies his trade with SK Sturm Graz.

That is according to an update from Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph via the publication's Transfer Centre Live Blog (21:06 / 23/07), with the 21-year-old the subject of intense transfer interest from clubs across the continent this summer window after his current employers were crowned champions of the Austrian Bundesliga.

The Hornets have been one of the most active clubs in the Championship when it comes to transfer activity thus far, with new head coach Paulo Pezzolano looking to mould a squad capable of challenging towards the top end of the table in his first campaign at Vicarage Road - a feat no Watford boss has managed to achieve since the club's most recent relegation from the Premier League.

The Uruguayan is seemingly in the market to bolster his options in the full-back department based on recent links, and acquiring the two-time Scotland international would be a major coup when considering some of the other sides who are also looking to secure his services.

The Middlesbrough-born defender and son of former midfielder Allan has been with Sturm Graz since the summer of 2023, and has impressed since signing from Motherwell, where he had previously been since the age of 12.

After his first season at the Merkur Arena, Johnston penned his most-recent contract extension which still has two years left to run. But, after a title-winning campaign in which he registered one goal, five assists and two clean sheets in just 24 appearances, he has been linked with a move to the likes of Lens, Atlanta, Augsburg and Hamburg SV as well as Southampton and Sunderland.

A report from Football Insider last month claimed that Watford's upcoming divisional rivals would have to part with £2.1m for his services, although other publications claimed Sturm Graz value the defender at the £3m mark.

A whole host of second-tier outfits were also locked in an unsuccessful transfer battle for his services on a temporary basis last summer in the form of Stoke City, Oxford United and Swansea City, whilst QPR were also unable to lure Johnston to Loftus Road.

However, the 21-year-old has now been linked with yet another move to the division, with the Hornets battling it out against the fallen French giants for his services, with Joseph's aforementioned update stating that both clubs have made enquiries to Sturm Graz over the possibility of striking a deal.

Max Johnston would be a shrewd signing for Watford FC

Whilst yet to feature in the English game, it is clear that Johnston has an abundance of current and future potential which is to be fulfilled, and that matches with plenty of signings Watford have made this summer, including the well-documented capture of Nestory Iranduka from Bayern Munich.

Football League World previously revealed that the Hertfordshire side would not be pursuing a reunion with Ashley Young, who has since joined newly-relegated Ipswich Town, whilst the Hornets have also been linked with a move for Alfie Gilchrist of Chelsea, although he would set the club back £5m.

Therefore, Johnston could be viewed as a much cheaper and therefore, smarter alternative, who has already shown plenty of glimpses of his ability on the European stage, and would be hoping to eventually reach the Premier League for the first time with Watford if a move was to materialise.