Watford FC set to sign 9-goal striker | OneFootball

It has been reported that Watford are set to sign Portuguese striker Vivaldo Semedo from Udinese.

As Watford continue a bit of a rebuild in this summer’s transfer window, the Hornets are now said to be closing in on the signing of young Portuguese striker Vivaldo Semedo.

Watford finished firmly in the middle-of-the-table once again in the Championship last season, and it appeared as though owners, the Pozzo family, had begun to shift their focus back towards Serie A side Udinese.

However, Watford have as ever been busy in the transfer window this summer, and appear likely to continue with that, under new management, too, with former Real Valladolid boss Paulo Pezzolano replacing Tom Cleverley, who is now at Plymouth Argyle.

Watford and Udinese’s relationship in the past has been much-discussed, and it appears as though there is yet another deal between the affiliate clubs taking place this summer.

Vivaldo Semedo set for Watford

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, working alongside Luca Bendoni of Sky Sport Italia, via his X account, Watford are closing in on the signing of Semedo.

It has been reported that the 20-year-old Portuguese attacker has already agreed terms over a move to Vicarage Road, apparently agreeing to a five-year contract in Hertfordshire.

Semedo was not with Udinese last season as he was sent out on loan to Portugal as he scored nine goals across all competitions for Vizela, who play in the second-tier of Portuguese football.

Semedo has made a few appearances for Udinese, but has spent the last two seasons out on loan with a spell in the Netherlands at Volendam before his move to Vizela.

Internationally, he has represented Portugal at U17, U18 and U19 level, having also been a product of the famed Sporting CP academy.

Watford are being busy this summer

Uruguayan coach Pezzolano, who was sacked by Ronaldo-owned Valladolid mid-way through their disastrous 2024/25 La Liga campaign, has seen three incoming arrivals to the Hornets so far this summer.

In something of a bit of a coup, Watford brought in Cypriot defensive midfielder Hector Kyprianou on a free transfer from Peterborough United, whilst Bolton Wanderers’ released goalkeeper Nathan Baxter also joined on a free.

Former Blackpool and Middlesbrough full-back Marc Bola has also arrived at Watford, following the expiration of his contract at Turkish outfit Samsunspor this summer.

In terms of outgoings, Pezzolano may well be keen to bring in some defensive reinforcements at some stage, as there has been a couple of first-team departures in that area of the squad.

Former Italy international centre-back Angelo Ogbonna is leaving at the end of his contract, whilst Chilean defender Francisco Sierralta has completed a move to Ligue 1 side Auxerre for a fee believed to be in the region of two million euros.

Young forward Michael Adu-Poku has joined Barrow on loan, but Semedo will still have a fair bit of competition in attack alongside the likes of Mileta Rajovic, who spent last season on loan at Brondby, former Celtic man Rocco Vata, Kwadwo Baah, Mamadou Doumbia and potentially Jorge Cabezas, who spent last year on loan at Gillingham and then with PAOK Salonika’s B team.