After a fairly underwhelming 2023/24 campaign, Watford will be looking to recover with fresh faces at the club. However, speculation of outgoings has emerged.
News has broken in Corriere dello Sport, that Ismaël Koné is being shortlisted by Italian giants AS Roma. This exclusive claims that talks have already begun between the Canadian midfielder and the Giallorossi.
Roma finished sixth last season and will play Europa League football, which could be a key influence in Koné’s potential decision. There will be eight teams from the Serie A enjoying European football next season. A clear competitive streak has galvanised the league’s appeal.
The Hornets, who found themselves closer to the drop than necessary, finished in 15th place and only six points from safety. The 21-year-old appeared 42 times for the London club in this Championship campaign; Koné scored four times in a Watford shirt.
Roma are interested in Ismaël Koné 🇨🇦, reports Corriere dello Sport. The club recently met with his entourage for an initial round of talks. De Rossi is looking to add another box-to-box midfielder.#CanMNT @kanfootballclub pic.twitter.com/TimHcaYEu5
— Giuseppe Campanelli (@giuseppecam22) June 1, 2024
The Canadian joined the second tier side in January 2023, following a move from CF Montreal. Koné featured 32 times for the Major League Soccer outfit and was snapped up for his dictation of play and adequate passing abilities. Since March 2022, the 21-year-old has already represented his country on 17 occasions – performing well on the international stage.
Florent Ghisolfi, Roma’s sporting director, is supposedly searching for a player ‘capable of suddenly subverting the balance of a match’. The Italian board feel that the Canadian midfielder fully represents the needs. Although, the club still remain uncertain and will continue to span across Europe for their ideal figure.
Watford are looking rather short on midfield options as it stands. With Jake Livermore leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract, the Hornets will only have Tom Dele-Bashiru and Edo Kayembe as holding midfield options. The Giallorossi on the other hand are looking to add Koné to a quality selection, with the likes of Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante to compete and work with.
Writer’s View
The pull of European prospects could make it very difficult for Watford to retain such an important player. The need for a midfield rebuild is already drawing closer for the London side and this sale could make things a lot less seamless. With the Canadian’s contract set to only expire in 2027, Tom Cleverley’s side have the much-needed bargaining power.
Roma are still deliberating their pursuit of Koné this summer and a large sum would be needed to prize him away from England. If a transfer fee can be agreed, the 21-year-old will likely jump at a move abroad to a top team vying for domestic and European success.
