Watford are keen to strengthen their attacking line-up before the end of the January transfer window and are reportedly eyeing a French striker who is currently plying his trade in Italy.
The Hornets have been very inconsistent under head coach Valerian Ismael this season, with nine wins, nine draws and eight losses in 26 games so far in the championship.
Still, Watford did well enough to remain in the conversation for the top six.
Ismael’s side have 36 points in England’s second division this season, currently four points behind sixth-placed Sunderland.
The team’s biggest problem this season was conceding goals.
Watford have conceded 36 goals in 26 games this season, the 13th worst record in the division.
However, the club is still looking for an attacking player before the end of the winter period.
According to Corriere dello Sport newspaper Sport Witness, Watford are monitoring the movements of Sassuolo frontman Grégoire Defrel.
The Frenchman’s contract with the Italian club expires at the end of the season, so he could be snapped up for a bargain price before the end of this month.
Defler was only an Italian player for the Neroverdi, making only nine appearances in the top flight.
Furthermore, the 32-year-old has not scored a single goal this season, according to the CIES Football Observatory, and his market value has fallen to just £4 million.
Author’s Opinion While this is certainly not the first time Watford have signed a player from Italy under their current owners, many fans believe Defrel does not and has never played for Udinese.
You’ll be happy to know that.
Still, it wouldn’t be a good move.
Defrel is currently in his 30s and reportedly earns £27,000 a week, but he has only scored four goals in the past three seasons and would be an unnecessary addition to his wages.
