New thread to replace the original one. I've heard Frank Nouble who is available on a free transfer. Worked under Zola at West Ham. Midfielder Cristian Battocchio is the first Udinese player to be linked with us. http://www.gianlucadimarzio.com/calciomercato/watford-pozzo-si-chiude-battocchio-la-prima-idea/ Translated: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristian_Battocchio Described as a "deep-lying playmaker".
After a bit of research Battocchio will be out of our range I think. He played in the Champions League last year and the coach and the reserve/youth couch has said he'll be heavily involved in the first team next year. Described as a combination of Pirlo/Pizarro and extremely highly rated.
21 Jun 2012 16:43:09 With Watford looking to be near a takeover from the Pozzo family (also owners of Udinese and Granada), rumors are already flying around that G. Zola will be the man the potential new owners wish to take the club forward. Expect an influx of younger Udinese players, as well as a bid for Ben Amos from Manchester United on loan. Having missed out on James Collins, Watford will be looking at signing at least 1, and possibly 2 new strikers, and i will post when any information becomes available which i can disclose. Expect a move for the promising young Swedish Under 17 international Oliver Capper of IFK Norrk*ping who has been tracked for some time. The unpredictable striker has also been tracked by the likes of Cardiff, Swindon, Charlton and Fulham, but Watford remain in poll position for the enigmatic young flair player, who would cost in the region of £80K, as he has entered the last year of his current contracts and talks have stalled over his apparent demands. Watch this space though. Any further news will be posted - AJ
The Bottacchio link actually came from an Italian journalists website. I have no idea of his success rate with these things, but he doesn't seem to post a lot of *******s on his website.
Yeah I know, I saw him tweet about it. From what I've seen on the net about him, he'd be a real coup and if the hype is justified we'd end up basing our team around his playmaking which would completely change our style of play (for the better). It would also be a signal of intent for this window and if we could get him I'd hold extremely high hopes for this summer transfer-wise. A season in England makes a lot of sense for a central midfielder as well, it would toughen him up and probably make him a more astute player. If he sets the world alight here you know Premier League teams will be after him as well as they love those 'flavour of the month' players, so would be a good shop window for him or any other Udinese players if we do well this year.
Bekim Bala, a young Albanian striker may be on his way to us. Lee Barnard is about to sign on loan from Southampton. Lee Hodson is off to Ipswich with Loach for £2 million. We will get Steven Davies on a free.
29 Jun 2012 11:44:27 Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo's extensive scouting network has picked out young Albanian striker Bekim Bala from FC Tirana. Expect his signature at Watford in the coming weeks.
Apart from loanes are we allowed to purchase players from either Udinese or Granada, I say this because we could buy players from either of the 2 clubs at a low price and sell them on at a high price to a PL team ?
01 Jul 2012 11:32:56 Hérita Ilunga is likely to join link Watford if Zola is appointed as manager. 01 Jul 2012 11:22:55 Heidar Helguson set to leave qpr and could be join watford again, but there is interest from derby, Leicester and burnley
Totally agree, I'd rather have ****o than Ilunga. Heidar has stated he wouldn't say no to a comeback. (Or something along those line)
New Watford manager Gianfranco Zola is close to making Jordan Rhodes his first signing at his new club
Unfortunately we're going to get some ridiculous rumours flying about. I don't think the new owners are going to be shelling out millions of pounds on new players.