Watford and Southampton chasing transfer for ex-Chelsea player | OneFootball

Watford and Southampton are keen on a move for the Dutch centre-back

Watford and Southampton are interested in a move for Xavier Mbuyamba.

The duo are preparing for the 2025/26 Championship campaign under new managers, with Paulo Pezzolano and Will Still both keen to bolster their squads this summer.

Both clubs possess Premier League ambitions and will hope that next year presents them with the opportunity to return to the top-flight.

Watford and Southampton eyeing up Xavier Mbuyamba transfer

A strong defence is crucial across 46 games and the second-tier duo are targeting Mbuyamba to improve their respective backlines.

According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph via X, Watford and Southampton are keen on the Dutch centre-back with Eredivisie club FC Volendam looking to sell.

Watford have been monitoring the player for multiple years now after first enquiring about his services in the summer of 2023.

The Hornets have now reignited their interest and are joined by the Saints, with the defender only having one year left on his current deal.

Italian side Sampdoria previously made bids of up to £2.5m for Mbuyamba in 2023, but the Dutch outfit rejected these approaches.

The 23-year-old made 34 appearances for FC Volendam in Eerste Divisie last term as they went on to win the title.

He scored an impressive five goals from central defence, highlighting the attacking threat he possesses.

The young defender spent his footballing education with Barcelona and Chelsea, before moving to the Netherlands in 2022.

Mbuyamba was fitted with a defibrillator in 2024 after doctors discovered an underlying heart condition, which ruled him out of a move to certain countries such as Italy.

Southampton could enjoy an edge over Watford in the race for Xavier Mbuyamba

Mbuyamba’s impressive performances on the continent have attracted the interest of potential suitors for years now, but it looks incredibly likely that this summer will finally see him exit the Netherlands.

With Southampton and Watford both vying for the 23-year-old’s signature, the best platform for the long term will be what the defender is ultimately looking for when making his decision.

The Saints have just returned to the second-tier after a year in the Premier League and are expected to be one of the favourites in the battle for promotion.

Whereas Watford haven’t been in the top-flight for three seasons now, failing to finish in the Championship top 10 during that time period.

Therefore, if Mbuyamba has his sights set on eventual Premier League football, Southampton may already have the edge in negotiations.