‘A likely exit’ expected as Serie A and Ligue 1 clubs chase Watford star

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Watford have been busy in the transfer market so far as they prepare for the upcoming Championship season, with the aim of pushing for promotion.

The Hornets had a disappointing end to the 2024/25 Championship season; however, with their business so far in the summer transfer window, they are looking to be top six contenders.

Watford sacked Tom Cleverley after falling short last term, and the Hornets replaced the now-Plymouth Argyle boss with Paulo Pezzolano.

Within the Uruguayan’s first weeks in post, Watford have signed several players to pad Pezzolano’s squad out with quality.

The most recent of these signings is Nestory Irankunda from Bayern Munich, signalling the club’s intent this season.

However, the club will need to also keep hold of the talented players currently employed at the club in their push for promotion.

• READ MORE: New Watford signing Nestory Irankunda reveals why he left Bayern Munich, his ‘biggest goal’ is clear

Watford’s Tom Dele-Bashiru is of interest to clubs in Serie A and Ligue 1

Tom Dele-Bashiru has become an important player for Watford over the previous two seasons, and this has garnered attention from clubs across Europe.

As per information from our Chief Football Correspondent, Graeme Bailey, EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal that Tom Dele-Bashiru is ‘facing a likely exit’ from Watford.

It is understood both Paris FC and Metz are the Ligue 1 clubs interested in the midfielder, while Sassuolo, Pisa, Lecce, and Torino are among those Serie A clubs interested in him.

Tom Dele-Bashiru may be more interested in a move to Serie A, given the fact his brother Fisayo is currently playing his football with Lazio in the Italian capital.

Tom Dele-Bashiru’s impact at Watford

The Nigerian underage international joined the club in 2019, and it took Dele-Bashiru several seasons to become a regular part of the Watford first team.

Dele-Bashiru started to make a bigger impact in the 2023-24 Championship season and has now become a key part of the squad, as he played 68 matches across the last two campaigns.

However, he may be willing to leave the club to find the success his brother has found at the international level, as Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made his debut for Nigeria after moving to Turkey to play for Hatayspor.

While he also got to play in European competition for Lazio as they reached the later stages of the Europa League last season.

This experience may have Tom Dele-Bashiru exploring his options in Europe as he now looks to further his career at the age of 25.