Watford suffer major blow as ‘outstanding’ star submits transfer request, Paulo Pezzolano truth emerges

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Watford are poised to be without one of their prized assets in the Championship next season after the latest update on his future.

After the 2024/25 Championship campaign concluded, Watford sacked Tom Cleverley and the club appointed Paulo Pezzolano as his replacement.

Watford’s appointment of the Uruguayan saw Watford fans raise concerns over Pezzolano, and the new Hornets boss will be hoping to improve on the 14th-placed finish Cleverley oversaw.

Watford are tipped for a play-off place next season, as a result of the appraisal of Pezzolano from the club’s hierarchy, and their early summer business that has seen Watford sign Hector Kyprianou.

Despite this, in a period of change for Watford, the Hornets have been dealt a major blow in the summer transfer window as one of the club’s top talents has submitted a transfer request.

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Imran Louza submits Watford transfer request amid summer window

Watford’s major blow comes with central midfielder Imran Louza, who played a pivotal role in the Hornets’ engine room last season, scoring twice and assisting five goals in 33 Championship appearances.

Following his best season at Vicarage Road since he arrived in 2021 from Nantes, Moroccan international Louza has submitted a transfer request, weeks after Pezzolano was appointed.

Sky Sports News outlined that Louza “made the request as soon as the players returned for pre-season training, with a number of clubs in Ligue 1 said to be interested in him.”

Louza featured in just two of the first 12 second tier games for Watford, after spending last season on loan at Lorient in their Ligue 2 relegation.

However, Louza cemented his starting role in the second period of the campaign, and was praised heavily by Cleverley.

After Louza’s stunning strike against Sunderland, the former Watford boss told the Watford Observer: “Imran’s got that in his locker,

“He’s been outstanding since he came into the team two or three months ago.

“He’s really showed character and leadership skills. That was an excellent strike today, and he’s capable of that.”

After varying reports regarding Pezzolano’s impact on Louza’s decision, Sky Sports have also revealed the true factor behind the 26-year-old’s transfer request.

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‘No issue’ between Imran Louza and Paulo Pezzolano at Watford

Last week, reports from The Sun reported that Louza wanted to leave Watford after falling out with new boss Pezzolano, after the midfielder flourished under Cleverley.

Despite Watford controversially sacking Cleverley, Sky Sports News’ Anthony Joseph adds that “there is no issue between Louza and new boss Pezzolano”.

With Watford’s signing of Kyprianou, this will soften the blow for the Hornets faithful in losing their Player of the 2024/25 season, especially with Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson’s exciting Kyprianou praise.

Louza has three years left on his Hornets contract, meaning that the club can command a sizeable fee if they decide to act on his request, which they can combine with Watford’s windfall in Joao Pedro’s Chelsea transfer to add further quality to Pezzolano’s squad.