It’s being reported that M’Baye Niang will not be returning to Vicarage Road this summer afterall.
The on loan AC Milan striker made 15 starting appearances with an additional showing from the bench in the second half of 2016/17, returning two goals, and it was thought that he would be welcome of a Premier League stay with us only a few weeks back.
That all seems to have changed now with the Watford Observer quoting the player as explaining that ‘personal reasons’ meant a move was no longer viable.
The 22 year old said.
‘I owe a lot to the club that gave me a chance to play in a different championship, to experience a new mentality, and that allowed me to play as regularly as I would have liked to. But even if Watford have an option to purchase that the management wants to activate, I do not see myself staying there. And that is only for personal reasons.’
With a reported 15million Euros fee in place to make the loan permanent, he went on to say.
‘I have given myself time to reflect, I weighed up the pros and cons and despite the great opportunity offered by Watford, I do not think my future lies there. I ask them to be understanding and accept my decision, which is irrevocable because I will not change my mind.’
Some will think it’s opportunity missed given the flashes that were seen from him, yet others simply didn’t see enough. Where you sit on that fence depends on you and whether or not you think others may have achieved a better goal return in the applicable games.
