Watford have "concrete interest" in Ligue 1 player | OneFootball

Highlights

Watford FC have shown a concrete interest in LOSC Lille defender Akim Zedadka.

That is according to reports emerging from France with the January transfer window well underway.

Watford interested in Akim Zedadka

​​​​​​As per Foot Mercato, Zedadka is a very popular player this month, and with him not in Paulo Foncesca's plans, the 28-year-old could leave his French club.

The report reveals that Watford are one side who are eyeing a move for the right-back, with the Hornets said to have shown a "concrete interest" in the Algerian.

Despite his lack of involvement at Lille this season, Zedadka is said to be continuing to train, and the report claims he is keen to find a new club.

As touched upon above, Akim Zedadka is a 28-year-old Algerian full-back currently playing his football for LOSC Lille.

Zedadka did not begin his career with his current team, though.

The 28-year-old began his career in a lower league French side Istres, before eventually joining Lens, featuring first for their 'B' team and then on a handful of occasions for their senior side.

Another couple of clubs slightly lower down the French system followed, with spells at AS Saint Remoise and Marignane Gignac before joining Clermont in 2019.

It was at Clermont that Zedadka began to really impress, making 9 appearances for the club in first Ligue 2, and later Ligue 1.

His performances for Clermont in the top flight earned Zedadka his move to Lille. However, so far, he has featured just 11 times for the club.

Last season, for example, he played just eight games for Lille and was then sent out on loan to fellow Ligue 1 side Auxerre, where he featured 22 times.

Upon his return to Lille this summer, Zedadka has found himself out of his manager's plans, hence he is now seeking a new club.

The 28-year-old is also a one-cap Algerian international, and his contract at Lille runs until 2025.

It is certainly understandable that Watford would be in the market for a right-back this month, with the Hornets needing some reliable depth and competition in the position.

Academy graduate Ryan Andrews is going from strength to strength in the right-back role at Vicarage Road, but if he were to pick up an injury or need a rest, the Hornets' options are scarce.

Jeremy Ngakia is on the books, but has generally been injury-prone throughout his time at Vicarage Road, and he is currently sidelined, with his contract due to expire in the summer.

In recent weeks, Tom Dele-Bashiru has been deployed at right-back for the club, with Andrews needing a rest, but, it is clear that the 26-year-old is better suited to his more natural central midfield role.