Watford Consider deal Swoop For Aston Villa Defender as they complete transfer talks
Watford are considering signing Aston Villa defender Lino Sousa on a loan deal, according to journalist Darren Witcoop.
The Hornets are selling midfielder Ismael Kone to Marseille for a substantial fee and are now looking at incomings.
The club are keen to bring in a left-back and are looking at several players, including QPR’s Kenneth Paal.
Also on Watford’s radar though is Aston Villa defender Sousa, who finished last season on loan at Plymouth Argyle.
The Hornets are thinking about a loan swoop for the 19-year-old.
That could appeal to Aston Villa, who signed Sousa from fellow Premier League side Arsenal in January this year.
Villa sent him straight out on loan to Plymouth in order that he could play regular senior team football to speed his development.
Sousa ended the season with eight Championship outings to his name, being booked once, against Preston North End.
According to West London Sport, the Hornets are weighing up a move for the 27-year-old.
Tom Cleverley is now in charge at Vicarage Road, and will be looking to make improvements to the first team squad for his first full campaign in the dugout.
The Hertfordshire outfit came 15th in the Championship last season, with their former midfielder overseeing the last month or so of the season as caretaker boss.
Paal meanwhile was a key figure for QPR in the previous term, featuring 44 times for the London club in the league, contributing four goals and one assist.
Paal is not the only left-back being considered by Watford though, with Darren Witcoop reporting that young Aston Villa defender Lino Sousa is also being considered by their recruitment team as a potential option.
Paal is entering the final 12 months of his QPR contract, so could be sold this summer in order to avoid losing him for nothing in 2025.
It is believed that the Hoops have offered him an extension to his current deal, but there is a willingness to cash in now if an agreement cannot be reached.
Watford are waiting to pounce on the situation, as they look to strengthen at left-back for the season ahead.
Jamal Lewis was the team’s primary option in that position last season, but he was on loan from Newcastle United and has since returned to his parent club.
It was reported earlier this week by Gianluca Di Marzio that Watford had made contact with Italian giants AC Milan over a potential deal for Senegalese left-back Fode Ballo-Toure
