Hamburger SV midfielder Valon Behrami is heading for a medical at Premier League newboys Watford, after just one season at the Volksparkstadion.
Less than impressive time in Hamburg
Behrami arrived at Hamburg for €4.5m from Serie A giants Napoli in order to stop the club staring relegation in the face again. After finishing 16th and only just staying up through a win in their relegation playoff against SpVgg Greuther Fürth in 2013-14, this was their main priority.
But the Northerners once again struggled in the league. They faced the prospect of resetting the clock signifying their status as the only club never to be relegated from the division, as they beat 2. Bundesliga side Karlsruher SC 3-2 on aggregate.
Yet Behrami, who picked up seven yellow cards and one red in the colours of Der Dino, is set to be cast off and sold for around €2.1m to Watford, with their Italian owners aware of the Swiss international through his extensive time in Serie A.
Previous Premier League experience could be key
The 30-year-old has spent three years in the Premier League before with West Ham from 2008-11, becoming a fans favourite in the centre of midfield.
The middle of the park seems to be an area the Hornets want to strengthen. Following the signing of Tottenham’s Étienne Capoue, whilst also being linked with Frenchman Benjamin Stambouli and Inter Milan’s Saphir Taïder.
As the Pozzo family also own Udinese, many of their signings in recent years have taken on a continental theme. The vast majority of them have arrived from Udine or the other prominent club in the Pozzo empire, Granada from La Liga.
This had led to the likes of Udinese’s young striker Matej Vydra arriving on a temporary deal, with the Czech now a permanent signing at Vicarage Road after impressing in his two seasons on loan.
Behrami would add a lot of experience to a midfield lacking in Premier League know-how. His three years at the Boleyn Ground and 59 appearances for the Swiss national team should stand him in good stead.