Latest news with #CalebWiley
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New left-back deal close but striker remains summer priority
Talks with a new left-back are at an advanced stage – but Watford's priority in the summer transfer market is a striker. Although Caleb Wiley is expected to return to Vicarage Road on a season-long loan from Chelsea during the summer, with Yasser Larouci returning to his parent club at the end of his loan, the Hornets need another left-sided option. They are close to securing exactly that, as the club move quicker and earlier in the market than at any other time under the Pozzo ownership. It's understood to be another sign that the owner is now focussed on Watford, backing up his talk of challenging for the play-offs and promotion by bringing in new players as soon as possible for new head coach Paulo Pezzolano to work with. The owner also said in his recent statement that retaining the players currently at the club was highly important, and with news emerging last week that Wiley and fellow defender James Abankwah would most likely be back next season – the latter expected to join permanently from Udinese – it's clear the Hornets are very keen to retain the squad that ended last season. Obviously that would also mean keeping hold of the likes of Player of the Season Imran Louza, Georgian international Giorgi Chakvetadze, and forward Kwadwo Baah. That will be more severely put to the test when the transfer window opens on June 1 and any potential offers start to come in. , then close temporarily before reopening again. This has been to accommodate the FIFA Club World Cup which starts in America in keeping their best players, though, the club have recognised the need for a new striker and are keen to make a permanent signing in that area of the pitch – though they would also be open to taking a young Premier League player on loan if the right option became available. The problem with the latter is that top-flight clubs generally take large squads with them on pre-season tours, and will only consider loaning out those they view as surplus to requirements once they are back. That can often mean loan signings have to be made at the end of the summer transfer window and the Hornets are keen to get as much of their business done sooner rather than later. Sale of Udinese is progressing Midfielder close to Watford return Mileta Rajovic will return to London Colney this summer after his loan spell with Brondby in Denmark, and young Mali international Mamadou Doumbia did plenty to further his cause in the last few months of last season. However, it is believed that neither is viewed as first-choice, hence the club seeking to find the ideal No.9 for new head coach Paulo Pezzolano. That particular position has, though, become one of the hardest to find for recruitment teams at all levels. Already a number of names have been flying around on social media, including West Ham's Danny Ings, but The Watford Observer understands he is not under consideration at all. Watford were scarred last season with the highly unsuccessful loan move of Bournemouth striker Daniel Jebbison. The Canada international was signed while Rajovic was heading back to Denmark, but Jebbison rarely looked like the answer in attack and his spell at Vicarage Road was cut short at the start of this year. One move understood to be close to completion is the signing of goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, who has been allowed to leave League One side Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer. Final paperwork is being finished off and the deal could be announced early next week.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What did you make of Hornets' transfer business?
It's time to talk about Watford's transfer business... Watford signed 28-year-old Norway international goalkeeper Egil Selvik from Italian 'sister club' Udinese for an undisclosed fee, brought in 20-year-old American left-back Caleb Wiley on loan from Chelsea and defender James Abankwah on loan from Udinese. However, they lost midfielder Festy Ebosele after he was recalled from loan by the same Italian club, Ryan Porteous has joined Preston on loan and Ken Sema has been released. With Tom Cleverley seemingly under pressure and a host of injuries to deal with, particularly in attack, will Watford keep pace in the race for the play-off places? We want you to tell us what you think about the Hornets' transfer dealings... Let us know your thoughts here.
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
What did you make of Hornets' transfer business?
It's time to talk about Watford's transfer signed 28-year-old Norway international goalkeeper Egil Selvik from Italian 'sister club' Udinese for an undisclosed fee, brought in 20-year-old American left-back Caleb Wiley on loan from Chelsea and defender James Abankwah on loan from they lost midfielder Festy Ebosele after he was recalled from loan by the same Italian club, Ryan Porteous has joined Preston on loan and Ken Sema has been Tom Cleverley seemingly under pressure and a host of injuries to deal with, particularly in attack, will Watford keep pace in the race for the play-off places?We want you to tell us what you think about the Hornets' transfer us know your thoughts here.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brighton's Valentín Barco set for Strasbourg move
Brighton and Hove Albion's Valentín Barco (20), currently on loan at Sevilla, is set to join RC Strasbourg Alsace, according to a report from . Since joining Brighton one year ago from Boca Juniors, the Argentine full-back has not had the chance to establish himself at the Premier League club. He is currently on loan at Sevilla, where he has found his game time limited. He has made just nine appearances for the La Liga side in all competitions. However, he now looks set to be recalled and sent to Strasbourg. The Ligue 1 club need reinforcements at left-back with Caleb Wiley's loan set to be cut short. The UMSNT defender is set to be recalled by parent club Chelsea before a potential loan move to Watford, as per L'Équipe. Strasbourg are closing in on a move for Barco. Fabrizio Romano adds that the deal would include a mandatory buy clause worth €10m. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Hornets close on Wiley
Watford are close to a deal to take Chelsea's 20-year-old American left-back Caleb Wiley on loan. (Luca Bendoni, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.
