Watford keen on signing Inter Milan full-back Davide Santon

Watford are interested in signing Inter Milan full-back Davide Santon as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Santon has been pushed aside as of late and with only one year left on his contract the Hornets are keen to bring the Italian to Vicarage Road.

Santon’s resumé

The Italian defender has spent time in the Premier League previously with Newcastle United. Santon signed for Newcastle in 2011 and made 82 appearances for the club before his departure in 2015.

Santon returned to Inter Milan for a second spell after beginning his career with the Serie A side. The 26-year-old enjoyed a fruitful first stint with Inter with two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia’s, the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup to his name.

His performances with Inter saw him push into the Italian national set-up earning seven caps while playing in Italy. However, Santon has only appeared for Italy on one occasion since leaving Inter and hasn’t featured for Italy since 2013.

Watford’s full-back options

Marco Silva does have a handful of options at full-back heading into the new Premier League season.

Greek international Jose Holebas has been a regular feature for the Hornets over the past few seasons and offers a lot of experience at the back. Daryl Janmaat is also still under contract at Vicarage Road and could reunite with Santon, should the Italian sign for Watford, after spending time together at Newcastle.

Juan Carlos Paredes and Bri Dja Djédjé are also available to Silva but the arrival Kiko Femenia and the interest in Davide Santon could indicate some defensive departures before the beginning of the season.

Hornets arrivals

Watford have already been active in the transfer window sealing the signatures of Will Hughes, Daniel Bachmann and Femenia.

Femenia arrived from Alavés recently and plays at right-back but does have the ability to move further forward. Austrian goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann will be looking to challenge for the number one spot at Vicarage Road while Will Hughes is the club’s marquee signing thus far.