Following the conclusion of the most recent Championship season, Watford are planning a larger and better 2024/25 campaign. Another one brought about upheaval, as Tom Cleverley took over at Vicarage Road.
He took over on a caretaker basis following Valerien Ismael’s departure and will face the challenge of his first summer transfer window as a manager.
New acquisitions are essential if the Hornets are to climb the Championship table, and one player mentioned in recent weeks is keeper Ricardo Velho, who plays in Portugal for top-flight side Farense.
New accusations have emerged regarding Watford’s rumoured pursuit of the shot-stopper.
According to Portuguese outlet Record, the Hornets are continuing their efforts to sign Velho this summer. As previously reported, he has a €10 million release clause (about £8.5 million), but it remains to be seen whether the club will spend that much to obtain his services.
Watford have up their pursuit in recent days as they try to acquire a new starting custodian.
Watford require new signings this summer, and with a rookie manager at the helm, it will be interesting to see how their window unfolds. Cleverley appears to be confident in his ability to exploit his contacts and the Hornets’ extensive transfer network, however.
Earlier this month, he told the Watford Observer that the team would need to be ‘innovative’ with their additions. He said:
“We’ll need to be inventive in the market.
I believe my contacts and playing experience will be beneficial, and I hope coaches would trust me with their loaned players. We have a strong scouting network around the world, and I’m sure the club has some pretty good players on their radar.
“But the reality is we haven’t got masses of money to go out and blow.”
Watford’s extensive scouting network has already resulted in international recruitment, and this appears to be the case again this summer. Players like Velho will be on the radar, but given the limited budget, he may not be a viable signing at the stated release clause fee.
This year, Watford’s starting custodian role was contested between Ben Hamer and Daniel Bachmann.
Both spent time in the starting lineup and experienced highs and lows between the sticks. Hamer’s contract expires this summer, and if he leaves, at least one more custodian will be needed.
The alleged pursuit of Velho means Cleverley may be looking for a new starter, knocking Bachmann out of the starting lineup once more. It will be interesting to see how this affects his future, given that he is on a long-term contract with Watford.
As Velho links increase, it appears that goalkeeping positions will be moved this summer.
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