Watford set to secure ambitious transfer deal for 20-year-old | OneFootball

Watford are reportedly closing in on the loan signing of Benfica striker Henrique Araujo until the end of the season, according to The Telegraph.

The 20-year-old has scored five goals in 20 senior appearances for the club, including one in the Champions League in a 6-1 victory over Maccabi Haifa in November.

Araujo was promoted to Benfica’s first team after his prolific record for the club’s reserve side, with only Goncalo Ramos, who starred for Portugal in the World Cup, preventing him from being a regular starter. But with Ramos widely expected to depart in the summer, Araujo will receive more opportunities next campaign.

The Portuguese giants are keen for Araujo to gain crucial senior experience, with Vicarage Road looking increasingly likely to become his temporary destination.

His reputation is rapidly growing and his talent has also been recognised by his country, with numerous caps for Portugal at youth level.

Araujo has a €100 million (£88 million) buy out clause in his contract, underlining how highly rated he is by Benfica and the Hornets will not have the option to sign him permanently at the end of his loan spell.

Slaven Bilic’s men currently sit third in the Championship table, 11 points behind second-placed Sheffield United, but their promotion hopes are being threatened by an injury crisis which has seen a host of key players sidelined, including the likes of Imran Louza, Tom Cleverley, Dan Gosling, Keinan Davis and Joao Pedro.

But the signing of Araujo would significantly mitigate the blow of losing Davis and Pedro and with the pair expected to return in the not-too-distant future, Bilic will have some exciting attacking options at his disposal.

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The verdict

Araujo’s seemingly imminent arrival would be something of a coup for Watford.

To sign a player who has featured and scored in the Champions League would be a statement signing for any second tier side, but particularly one with Araujo’s potential and valuation.

He has displayed his quality at the highest level with his performances on the European stage and given his undoubted ability, the only question mark will be whether he can adapt to the demands of the Championship.

With the Hornets looking well-placed to maintain their promotion challenge, the addition of Araujo could prove to be a game-changer for their prospects of an immediate Premier League return.