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Watford are closing in on another pair of summer signings

Watford are closing in on the signing of Othmane Maamma from French side Montpellier.

According to Sacha Tavolieri, the Hornets are set to sign the 19-year-old on a four-year deal as Paulo Pezzolano looks to transform the first-team squad at Vicarage Road.

Maamma has come through the ranks of the Ligue 2 side’s academy system, and has already made 14 appearances in the French top flight.

However, the club’s 18th-place finish last season has seen them drop into the second tier, which has opened the door for Watford to strike.

Watford set to sign Othmane Maamma on four-year deal from Montpellier

Watford are closing in on their latest summer addition, with reports that a deal has been agreed with Montpellier for Maamma.

It is believed that the winger will sign a four-year deal, with the youngster now undergoing his medical as the final steps to finalising the move.

It has also been claimed by Italian journalist Luca Bendoni that there is confidence that a deal for Metz attacker Papa Diallo can be agreed as well, with reports last week indicating that a £4.3 million transfer was edging ever closer.

Watford are keen to bolster their squad after coming 14th in the Championship table last season, which led to Tom Cleverley’s departure as manager.

Maamma is predominantly a right-winger, but is also capable of playing on the left or through the middle, making him a versatile option in the final third.

Meanwhile, Diallo featured 28 times in Ligue 2 last season, and contributed seven goals and four assists as Metz finished third in the standings - they were promoted to the top flight after beating Stade Reims in a promotion/relegation play-off.

Watford's crest on a corner flag

Reuters / Hannah McKay

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Watford have already been active in the summer transfer market, bringing in four fresh faces following Pezzolano’s arrival as manager.

Marc Bola, Nathan Baxter and Hector Kyprianou have all arrived as free agents, with Vivaldo Semedo making the switch from Udinese.

Mixing domestic signings and players who have played the majority of their careers in England, along with the signings of young, high-potential players from across the globe has worked in the past for Watford - there's no reason why they can't do it again.

It remains to be seen what the fee for Maamma will be at this stage, but Gino Pozzo being set to invest the aforementioned sum on Diallo shows that he's keen to get Watford back into the Premier League as soon as possible.

This is a strong level of investment in the team, but it means there will be expectations on Pezzolano to deliver an impressive season at Vicarage Road this year.