Watford FC may fear Norwich City hijack amid £15m transfer reveal | OneFootball

Norwich City could cause transfer heartache for Watford FC if they successfully hijack a deal for Pape Diallo this summer.

Norwich City could cause transfer heartache for Watford FC if they successfully hijack a deal for Pape Diallo this summer.

The Hornets were close to sealing a deal for the Senegal international, but recent developments surrounding Porto-bound Borja Sainz could have shifted the balance in the Canaries favour.

Norwich City could hijack Watford's Pape Diallo deal

Norwich have joined the race to sign Diallo, who has been closely monitored by Watford.

A deal was thought to be close, but an 11th-hour intervention by the Canaries has thrown a spanner into the works of that deal.

It was reported in early July that the Hornets were in "advanced talks" to seal a £4.3m deal for the Metz forward by journalist Nizaar Kinhella on his X account.

However, recent developments could have swung the balance in Norwich's favour. Charlie Wyett of The Sun took to social media to confirm that the Norfolk club were interested in Diallo, while the BBC's Nick Mashiter also detailed City's interest in the 21-year-old.

The seven-time capped Senegal international has scored twice for his national team, and featured throughout the country's successful African Cup of Nations journey in 2023. He netted the winner in the semi-final, before starting the final, which was won in a penalty shootout.

In club football, Diallo has made his mark too.

He enjoyed his best season to date in terms of attacking output in 2024/25, scoring seven times as Metz secured promotion into the top tier of French football.

The forward has nine goals across two full seasons with the Metz first-team, competing in Ligue 2 most recently.

Would be hard to watch for the Championship Hornets

The news comes as Borja Sainz looks to have secured a move away from Carrow Road, which could be worth £14.5m for Norwich.

The attacker, who was the joint second highest goalscorer in the Sky Bet Championship last term, is said to be on his way to Portugal in order to finalise a move to the country's serial winners Porto.

The windfall Norwich are set to receive from Porto could help propel them to successfully hijack the deal for Diallo.

With only one season left on his deal at the Canaries, it was no surprise to see Sainz heavily linked to a move away that now seems to only be a matter of time. Replacing the lively Sainz, who mainly operates on the left side of attack, is no easy feat. But, in 21-year-old Diallo, Norwich could have found a youthful and energetic replacement who has plenty of upside.

With the extra cash they are due to receive for the sale of Sainz, Norwich could muscle Watford out of contention and see the Senegal international for themselves. That could be a kick in the teeth for the Hornets, who would then have to watch Diallo showcase his skills for a divisional rival.

Losing out in any transfer battle is a blow, but doing so to a fellow Championship side looking to push towards the promotion-chasing pack would be a major defeat before a ball has even been kicked in the 2025/26 season.