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Watford could see one player head to LAFC as the Hornets look to improve on their 14th place finish in the 2024/25 Championship season.
Despite briefly nearing the play-off spots, a second-half dip saw them settle for mid-table mediocrity, with Vakoun Issouf Bayo finishing as their top scorer with 10 league goals.
The season concluded with another managerial change, as Tom Cleverley was replaced by Paulo Pezzolano. This summer has seen Watford navigate a busy period of incoming and outgoing transfers, with fans delighted by arrivals like the ‘fantastic talent’ Nestroy Irankunda.
The Hornets have also seen the likes of Tom Dele-Bashiru attracting interest from clubs in the Serie A and Ligue 1, and it now appears another player is set to depart Vicarage Road.
- READ MORE: Watford’s five most expensive signings ever including two-time Serie A winner and Spanish starlet
Ryan Porteous heading stateside as LAFC edge closer to deal
Sky Sports’ Luca Bendoni has reported that LAFC are progressing in talks to sign Watford centre-back Ryan Porteous, with the clubs negotiating a fee in the region of €1m.
Watford are expected to retain a 50% sell-on clause, a major benefit for the Championship side. Given Porteous, a Scotland international, still has two years on his contract and made a good impression on loan at Preston North End, his market value could rise considerably.
If LAFC later sells him for a higher price, Watford stand to receive half of that profit, potentially a substantial windfall.
This structure provides immediate funds while securing a stake in his future success, aligning with Watford’s strategy of shrewd player sales to maintain financial stability.
Paul Heckingbottom was impressed with ‘leader’ Ryan Porteous
Following Porteous’ successful loan spell at Preston North End towards the end of last season, where he made 11 Championship appearances, former PNE boss Paul Heckingbottom lauded his impact.
After his Preston debut in February versus Norwich, PNE boss, Paul Heckingbottom told Lancashire Post: “Ryan’s a good footballer. He’s got a good football brain and the more I can talk to him about how we want to play, he’s vocal as well… he’s a leader in how we play, so he’ll bring that and organise as well.
“As a footballer we’ve got a player who’s ready-made because he’s played 20-odd Championship games already this season, been fit and available, which is great. But likewise his personality fits straight into our group of players who are fantastic lads, so the timing couldn’t have been any better.
“We all of a sudden needed that type of player and Ryan all of a sudden became available. We obviously had the phone number ready to call, that type of thing, so it was all done really quickly.”