This has just come onto the #WatfordFC twitter feed so must be true... I've no idea what any of the story actually says as I'm not touching that site with anything of mine so do your own research!
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/711052/watford-troy-deeney-transfer-news-latest Interesting to see if anyone else echoes these claims in the next few days. Never heard of this bloke and the Star aren't exactly tier 1, but anyone can potentially uncover privileged information/tap a source, and it's not the strangest rumour we've ever heard.
Probably the very last chance we will have to make decent money on him. Wouldn’t be against it. I don’t have as big a problem with him as many others do but I do think his departure would freshen up the squad and perhaps take it in an exciting direction and perhaps make a statement like making Chalobah captain. But we need to be sure of being able to sign a First XI striker and not a punt like Gray. Not a big fan of selling before buying in key positions.
It appears we could be willing to offload all of our current frontline - Gray, Deeney and Okaka at fairly reasonable rates. But we have hardly been linked with a plethora of hot strikers. Underwhelmed by the Deferel link that has resurfaced. Last summer we were at least linked with some promising names until Gray was fairly suddenly announced. That got a mixed reception at the time but I was willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt(s). However, I was not impressed when I first saw him on the pitch and that feeling persisted throughout the season. As for Deeney he at least has worked hard for his success but it might be time to move on. I have enjoyed the Okaka cameos but he is not one to drag us through another EPL season. In the wings we have Sinclair and Success as understudies who have not stepped up their development. Big question is whether Gino is going to go on a striker with a reasonable pedigree who would be expensive or try and unearth another young gem which could be risky?
It’s ********. The only one of any I could see leaving is Okaka. And that’s if we get a replacement first. IMO it’s all trash paper talk. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If it's true that we are looking to offload the bulk of our so called strikers, I personally think that is a good thing because they are all basically not up to being PL players. Therefore as we appear to be willing to rid of them, surely Gino must have some replacements in mind, or at least one would hope so.
If only @Hairyfrog and @ITKJim were here, they could have furiously masturbated together over this news.
It'd be great if this were true, but unfortunately the first half of this sentence gives me doubts: "The 29-year-old is a hugely popular figure at Vicarage Road but it is understood club bosses are prepared to let him go after eight seasons at the club." It would have been more credible if phrased: "The 29-year-old is a huge figure at Vicarage Road".
We signed Navarro without anyone realising he was even a target. Who's to say we don't already have a couple of strikers already set waiting to be announced. Just because there's no paper talk, I guess it doesn't mean things aren't being done.
Deeney is 30 this month and has 3 years left on his contract, is he really going to find another club that will match his current salary?
I don't think Deeney will leave. Gracia seems to like him, Deeney himself will have a point to prove after last season's showing, and as others have mentioned there's the financial side to it - unless we get near deadline day and the likes of Cardiff or Fulham are desperate for a striker, I can't see anyone stumping up the fee and wages he would command.
Didn't Deeney say after the season finished how frustrated he was at not playing as much as he would like? Partly his own fault due to fitness issues and then not being automatically selected for the first time in a while here. If I am remembering that correctly then perhaps the addition of one or two forwards may help his own personal decision of wanting to stay or not, preferring to play regularly somewhere and accepting a lower wage. He seems to like to be involved and has done superbly to become a figurehead at the club but does the club still need Troy as that leader?
I suppose from Troy's point of view, it comes down to whether he's up for battling his way back to being an undisputed first choice. It seems we are buying before selling in this window, so if a striker of undoubted quality comes in, as you say he will have a decision to make. From the club's point of view, every player has their price and Troy is no exception. If their valuation is met, it would be a great opportunity for the club to say to Doucoure "ok, here's a massive wage increase and here's the captain's armband, please stay...". I'm just doubtful as to whether anyone will meet that valuation.
There are players in the squad who will make better captains than Doucoure so that shouldn’t be used as a carrot to entice him to stay. Plus if he does stay this summer, he will likely sign a new improved deal with the agreement that if he has another good season, the club will let him move without a fight. I don’t want to take the captaincy away from Troy and give it to Doucoure to then have to change it again next summer. Chalobah or Cleverley are better options as captain.
There was talk of WBA and Stoke being vaguely interested and I have heard Deeney has bought another house in the Midlands. Even Brum City might be tempted and he would save on travelling costs.
I doubt he will be happy to go to the Championship and now way could Birmingham get near his wages. The new WBA chief executive complained about their profligate spending last season so I doubt they’d be happy chucking huge wages his way. Stoke have just signed Afobe but I concede that may actually be a good move for someone of Deeney’s style who can undoubtedly score goals in the Championship. If WBA could be convinced though, I’d happily swap him and bit of cash for Rodriguez.
Sell Gray and Deeney and look to bring in 2 replacements. Would rather keep Okaka but think he'll end up going sadly.
Could this be held up as we are experiencing difficulty sourcing a suitable wide vehicle that can take such a heavy load and getting clearance from the police and traffic authorities to close motorways for the journey? These things take time
Deeney rumours happen every transfer window. Time for him to move on but only if we get a decent striker in, and that's not vokes
At least one of the strikers has to go, probably 2. All 3 have now been linked with moves away now, but tbh I would probably keep Gray as I do think there could be more to come. A new first choice striker is a must though!
Whilst it’s fair to assume WBA (or anyone else) wouldn’t pay Deeney his current wage, at what point does sensibility come into for a player who is no longer an automatic first choice? When Joe Cole starting dropping down the leagues, I’m pretty sure he didn’t expect Coventry to be picking up his Chelsea/Liverpool wage. The way I see it, if Deeney wants to play every week and keep his current pay grade, he has to regain the type of form which I sadly think is beyond him and stays with us. Otherwise he needs to look at moving on and accept guaranteed football will come with a decrease in income and will be at a team with a similar or lower standing to ourselves. He will need to choose between the amount he gets paid or the amount he plays - I don’t think anyone is going to offer him both. (Duplicated this on the Foster thread as it was in response to a post but is more suitable on this thread!)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6900652/cardiff-watford-troy-deeney-premier-league-survival/ Alan Nixon reporting that Cardiff looking to make £15m bid for Deeney, and that Warnock wants to agree a fee in the next 24 hours. Sounds too good to be true...
