Watford are believed to be getting closer in their chase to sign highly-rated Lille playmaker Sofiane Boufal this summer.
A senior representative from the club is understood to have met up with the player and discussed personal terms after the two clubs agreed on Lille’s asking price of €20 million.
The 22-year-old Moroccan is believed to have agreed those personal details and the transfer may well be completed anytime in the next week.
Signing would be big coup for Hornets
The Hornets have already been one of the busiest Premier League sides this transfer window, and if the Lille midfielder is to sign, he will be the sixth player to have arrive at Vicarage Road.
Record singing Isaac Success arrived from Granada, Jerome Sinclair from Liverpool, Christian Kabasele from Genk, Juan Camilo Zuniga on loan from Napoli and Brice Dja Djedje from Marseille are the five players that have came in so far.
New boss Walter Mazzarri has certainly stamped his authority when it has come to transfer business, and by the end of the Hornets’ week-long tour in Austria, the decision will have been made.
Mazzarri has implemented the 3-5-2 formation, but may alternate to 3-4-1-2, and if that is the case, then Watford may bring in Boufal to play behind the two forward men.
Boufal wanted by big clubs around Europe
Mazzarri made it clear from the start of his reign at Vicarage Road that he wanted to bring in a top-class playmaker, as he showed interest in Juventus’ Roberto Pereyra.
However, he appears to be heading elsewhere after the Hornets pulled out of the running, but Boufal is well in the Italian boss’ radar.
The Moroccan playmaker has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Premier League rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Since signing for Lille from Angers, the attacking midfielder has scored 14 goals in 43 appearances, but his disciplinary problem is a concern after being sent off twice and carded 11 times in 34 games last season.