Love it or loathe it, it’s here and you can’t ignore it: Transfer Deadline Day is upon us and the Vital Watford Deadline Day Blog is the best way to keep abreast of the goings-on at Vicarage Road.
We’re not expecting any great business in WD18 today, with the bulk of the rumoured deals domestic loans, which could be completed when the domestic loan window re-opens next week.
The same deals goes for free agents, which could include former Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper, Gary Woods.
Any deals from Granada or Udinese would have to be completed today, though.
9:00am: It’s not Watford news, but it is news on a former Hornet. Defender Adrian Mariappa is undergoing a medical at Crystal Palace. The Harrow-born defender has only made one League Cup appearance for the Royals this term – the 6-0 defeat at Peterborough – and according to Sky Sports News the 26 year-old is set for a return to the top-flight.
9:30am: Tottenham Hotspur’s creative midfielder Tom Carroll has been heavily-linked with a loan move to Vicarage Road, but the England Under-21 international could now be on his way to Queens Park Rangers instead.
Carroll worked with R’s boss Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane and that could sway the midfielder’s decision.
The 21 year-old Watford-born midfielder has played twice for Spurs in the Europa League already this season and had told Vital Watford earlier in the window that there had been interest from all parties in a loan move.
10:50am: BBC Sport report that Tom Carroll is also being targeted by newly-promoted Crystal Palace.
Just my opinion, but out style of play will appeal to Carroll, as will the opportunity to play in a side which sees a lot of the ball during games. He won’t get that at Palace, even if they are a Premier League side, the kind of football a side plays has to be a factor for consideration.
11:17am: Bradford City forward Nakhi Wells set a club record after scoring in eight consecutive games at the weekend and according to BBC Sport, Watford are interested in the Bermuda-born forward.
However, according to the Telegraph & Argus – Bradford’s local rag, the Yorkshire outfit have yet to receive an offer for the 23 year-old.
12:12pm: It’s picking up now, Nathaniel Chalobah has been linked with a loan return by Ed Malyon of The Daily Mirror.
Chalobah signed a new five-year deal at Chelsea this week, but has also been linked with a move to Crystal Palace (who else?) by The Daily Mail this morning.
For me, it’s a surprise a Premier League team hasn’t signed him on loan yet, but I guess that Chelsea were keen to get the England Under-21 international committed to a new, long-term contract at Stamford Bridge before sorting out a move. Now that has happened, who knows?
Incidentally, Geoff Doyle, Sports Editor at BBC Three Counties says we hope to sign a defensive midfielder today. Confirming we what we already knew really, Geoff.
12:21pm: It’s the busiest period of the Watford rumour day as former loanee Michael Kightly is linked with a return by Chris Boden, the chief football writer at The Burnley Express
Kightly, now 27, had a successful 12-game loan spell in 2011-12 under Sean Dyche, but would the Stoke City winger really fit into our 3-5-2 system? Boden says Burnley and former club Wolves are also in the mix.
12:32pm: It looks like Watford’s transfer window is over, scout Luke Warrington takes to Twitter to announce that he and fellow scout Filippo Giraldi are off to the Emirates to welcome Arsenal’s new signing, Mesut Ozil. One can only assume one of them is an Arsenal fan – and that Luke is joking!
Sorry guys no signings today, going to force @Killerfil to take me to the Emirates to greet Ozil
? Luke Warrington (@rentbear) September 2, 2013
12:34pm: In ex-Watford news, Alex Geijo is set for a medical with Deportivo La Coruna, according to Inside La Liga. Good luck, Alex!
2:32pm: Hornets’ goalkeeper Jonathan Bond is a target of Newcastle United, according to Sky Sports News.
The England Under-21 international was out of contract at the end of last season before inking a new deal in WD18.
With Watford in the market for a third goalkeeper themselves, it would take an almighty offer to tempt the club to part company with the Hemel-born stopper.
5:52pm: Very little happening, still, and even the rumour mill has wound down at this stage, as you can probably tell due to the infrequent nature of our updates.
One deal that has happened, is Aidy Mariappa joining Crystal Palace. The former Hornet has joined the Eagles on a three-year deal from Reading. Relegated twice in two seasons (probably), should have stayed with the Watford, Aidy!
11:00pm: The window slams shut (it always ‘slams’ doesn’t it?) and there have been no deals at Watford today.
The loan window re-opens in a week and we anticipate Watford will do some business then. A defensive midfielder is wanted and although he is not a defensive midfielder per se, Nathaniel Chalobah is available and would improve the midfield.
The emergency loan window permits Football League clubs to sign players on loan for up to 93 days, so we would surely be in pole if Chalobah was a target. That said, it seems slightly strange that we wouldn’t have signed him before 11pm yesterday, as he could have signed for the full season then.
In other news, an enquiry for Jonathan Bond – believed to be from Newcastle United – came to nothing, Ross Jenkins is still a Watford player – the emergency loan window will interest him too – and free agents are still able to sign, Gary Woods anyone?
Bye for now, and we’ll do it all again in January…
Keep in touch with all the deals on Twitter: @VitalWatford
