Watford are preparing for their third consecutive season in the Championship this summer but may be forced to do so without one of their prized assets, according to the latest reports.
The Hornets have had a busy transfer window so far, signing the likes of Rocco Vata, Moussa Sissoko, and Jonathan Bond, while former Sheffield United fullback Yasser Larouci and central defender Antonio Tikvic were brought in on season-long loans.
However, Tom Cleverley could be dealt a huge blow in his preparations for the new campaign as Yaser Asprilla looks to be on his way out of the club and will sign for Ligue 1 side Rennes in due course. The Colombian playmaker was spotted arriving at the club on Thursday to complete a medical ahead of his move to the French top-flight.
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Journalist Pipe Sierra has revealed that Watford have agreed to sell the 22-year-old for a fee of £25 million but have added an unknown sell-on clause in the transfer arrangement which gives them security in the future should he leave Rennes for a large amount. Furthermore, Sierra has reported that Asprilla will sign a four-year contract with Les Rennais with the option to extend his stay by a further year.
This £25 million figure is quite a long way off the numbers that were being touted in the Spanish press several months ago. Spanish outlet Sport claimed back in February that European giants Barcelona were eyeing a move for the winger, having scouted him extensively, but the Hertfordshire outfit were looking for between £34-43 million. Yet, just a few months later, Watford are now set to complete his sale for a lot less than this number.
Writer’s View
The interest in Asprilla wasn’t surprising. The attacker, who can play all across the frontline, scored six goals and recorded eight assists in all competitions for Watford last season in what was quite a turbulent campaign for the side.
Furthermore, the £25 million fee that the club is set to receive is quite a solid piece of business by the Hornets after they bought him for merely £2.5 million from Colombian side Envigado two and a half years ago. While it is not nearly as much as reports in Spain were suggesting, it still gives Cleverley a chance to spend some much-needed cash to strengthen the entirety of his squad and to potentially find a replacement for the outgoing player.
