Not content with already purchasing three players during the transfer window this January, Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores has moved swiftly to secure a fourh recruit: Abdoulaye Doucouré from French Ligue 1 club Rennes, for an undisclosed fee.
A busy January
On Saturday, the Hornets added Mario Suarez - bought from Serie A side Fiorentina for another undisclosed fee - to a side that is bristling with ambition after such a good return to the Premier League so far this season.
As well as Suarez, a player Flores is familiar with, Watford have already captured Nordin Amrabat from La Liga club Malaga in a £6.1m deal - and have also purchased ex-Manchester City and Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, again for an undisclosed fee.
It has been clear that Flores is not just settling for Watford's heroics this season, and is instead looking towards the Hornets beginning to contemplate their long-term future in England's top flight of football. His dealings this January signal a man with ambition - and a club that is definitely on the move.
Moving for the signature of Doucoure is a similar signal of intent, after the Hornets managed to secure the France Under-21 international on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Rennes.
After signing his paperwork, however, the 23-year-old midfielder will not be an immediate sight at Vicarage Road: the club intends to loan him to La Liga side Granada CF for six months before he makes his arrival this summer.
One for the future?
Doucoure is a product of Rennes' youth system, making his debut for the first team in the 2012/13 Ligue 1 seaon. From there on in he has gone on to play over 70 times for the French side, and will no doubt be a valuable addition to Flores' squad.
After announcing the deal, Watford CEO Scott Duxbury described the move as something the club quickly wanted to "act upon", considering their "long-term interest" in the player. Duxbury also went on to say that Doucare would be a "big part" of Watford's future plans, but in the meantime will get valuable experience while playing "high level, competitive football", for Granada in Spain.
