2 Watford players who could follow Yaser Asprilla out of Vicarage Road | OneFootball

All connected with Watford FC will be hoping for a much stronger 2024/25 campaign.

Since returning to the Championship after a dismal campaign in the Premier League three seasons ago, the Hornets' fortunes have hardly changed, with their trajectory decreasing further in the two second tier seasons they've endured.

However, this pre-season gives Tom Cleverley the chance to prepare thoroughly ahead of his first full stint in the Vicarage Road hotseat, after impressing during his short period in interim charge following the dismissal of Valerien Ismael.

The Hornets squad does showcase a number of highly talented individuals, and none more so than Colombian playmaker, Yaser Asprilla.

Last month, the 20-year-old, who is tied down to a contract until 2026 in Hertfordshire, was linked with Inter Milan and Barcelona, before Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra claimed that Asprilla's agent - Jonathan Herrera - has been negotiating with a number of English and European sides over a potential move.

It was then revealed by the Watford Observer that the Hornets have no intention of seeing their prized asset depart, before a more recent update from Guillermo Arango, who namedropped the likes of Manchester United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan among others as clubs expressing an interest, with his report claiming that Watford will demand a £30m fee for the winger.

As a result of this news, and the fact that Asprilla has showcased on many occasions that his potential ceiling is greater than the club's current whereabouts, Football League World looks at two more names who could depart over the summer.

Tom Ince has been a household name in the EFL for quite a while, but it would be fair to say that the winger's best form has deserted him for a lengthy period of time.

Once one of the second tier's hottest properties having burst onto the scene at Blackpool, the 32-year-old's impact at Watford has made even the most nominal of fees - £50,000 - from cash-strapped League One side Reading, hardly pay off, as he's still said to be the highest earner at the club.

Ince only started eight of his 27 league outings last term, accumulating just two goals and two assists, all of which came by the time December rolled around.

At the time of Cleverley's installation in the dugout, the former Manchester United and England man often experimented with his squad with one eye on next season, and Ince only played 22 minutes from March 16th to May 4th, which included being left out of the squad on the final day.

The aforementioned wages mean it may be hard for the club to force a move before his two-year contract concludes this time next year, but it's no doubt the best solution from the Hornets' point of view.

Imran Louza

Imran Louza has given Watford fans the occasional flash of brilliance during his spell with the club, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him seek a new challenge this summer either.

A report from OuestFrance also backs up such beliefs, with the publication stating that the club are open to a departure.

Unlike Ince, Louza has been an impressive performer in yellow and black, which included a standout 2022/23 campaign, with the Moroccan registering five goals and four assists from the centre of the park, earning an average Sofascore rating of 7.18 despite suffering two injuries.

A string of consistent performances continued in the first half of last season, tallying up solid metrics in just 11 starts, such as the creation of three big chances and 1.5 key passes per game to compliment his solitary goal and trio of assists.

Louza then joined Ligue 1 outfit FC Lorient in January, where, despite Régis Le Bris' side suffering relegation, the 14-time international, he remained a key cog in midfield with one goal, three assists and the creation of seven more golden opportunities for his colleagues.

The 25-year-old signed for Watford in a reported £10m deal back in 2021 from fellow French side Nantes, and a reported release clause in his most recent contract, signed until 2028, could help the club garner significant funds to aid Cleverley's much-needed rebuild amid interest from Spain and France.

The value of said clause hasn't been disclosed, and even if it doesn't make the club a profit, a sale would no doubt hurt in the short-term, but be beneficial to the long-term future of the club as they work their way back to being a Championship force.