Watford plot move for ex-Fulham player | OneFootball

Watford are interested in AC Milan left-back Fodé Ballo-Touré.

Highlights

Tom Cleverley is looking to add to his squad this summer ahead of his first full season in charge at Vicarage Road.

Watford are interested in signing AC Milan left-back Fodé Ballo-Touré, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

He spent last season on loan at Fulham, making six substitute appearances in the Premier League and starting two games in the Carabao Cup.

The Hornets will be looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, after a disappointing 15th place finish in the Championship last season.

Watford want Ballo-Touré

Watford had Jamal Lewis on loan from Newcastle United last season, and had an option to make the move permanent this summer, but they have decided to let him return to St James' Park.

It seems as though Cleverley, who was in interim charge at the end of last season, has identified a target to replace him.

Milan signed Ballo-Touré from AS Monaco in 2021 on a four-year deal. The Senegal international has played 26 games for the Rossoneri, including six appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

He joined Fulham on loan last summer, but his minutes were limited by the form of Antonee Robinson, and he was not included in the squad for ten of the last 11 games of the season.

The 27-year-old could be an excellent signing for Watford in the Championship, having played in Ligue 1, Serie A and the Premier League, as well as the Champions League.

With just one-year remaining on his contract at the San Siro, the Hornets will feel optimistic they can structure a deal that is financially viable for them.

Watford have also been linked with a move for Udinese defender Antonio Tikvic.

Watford could have money to spend this summer

Watford are yet to make a signing so far this summer, although 18-year-old striker Mamadou Doumbia is set to arrive at the start of July after agreeing a deal in February.

The Hornets could have money to spend, considering that Ismael Kone is set to join Marseille in a deal worth around £15m.

Watford also received a significant amount of money in transfer fees for the sales of Joao Pedro, Ismaila Sarr and Christian Kabasele last summer, and only re-invested a fraction of the total sum into new signings.

Georgia international Giorgi Chakvetadze, striker Mileta Rajovic and winger Tom Ince were the only players that Watford paid a fee to sign last season. They will surely need to invest further in the playing squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign if they are going to climb the table.

Cleverley showed promise after being named as interim head coach following Valerien Ismael's departure in March, and the Hornets will hope he can continue on an upwards trajectory now that he is in charge permanently.

The club will know they need to improve Cleverley's squad if they are to challenge at the top end of the Championship next season, and the fact they are interested in Ballo-Touré suggests that they are prepared to be ambitious during this transfer window.

Bringing the Senegalese left-back to Vicarage Road this summer would be an encouraging start to what is an important transfer window for the Hornets.