Watford set to secure €1m deal for 20-year-old midfielder

Watford are no strangers to the South American market. They’ve recruited plenty of stars from the continent before and it would be a surprise to see them abandon that tendency. Yaser Asprilla is the current headline name of those brought over, while profits have been made on previous stars Joao Pedro and Cucho Hernandez, who represent Brazil and Colombia respectively. Image courtesy of: MATTHEW CHILDS/REUTERS. Now, reports from the latter have claimed another prospect is heading for Vicarage Road. A report from news outlet Antena 2 states that Watford are set to add La Equida midfielder Elan Ricardo to their ranks this summer. A fee of a little more than €1m is reported as the Hornets close in on a deal. It is said that negotiations are still to be finished, but a deal has been ‘made’. Ricardo is still a little-known prospect but he’s been catching the eye in Colombia this season. In the top-flight with La Equida, he’s managed six goals in 17 games after making his senior debut in 2022. The 20-year-old can operate as either a central or defensive midfielder with his goalscoring contributions of late perhaps suggesting a more advanced role is better suited to his abilities. It remains to be seen if Watford can wrap up a deal but as an in-form, emerging starlet from South America, he certainly fits in with the club’s recruitment profile. As just announced by the club, Tom Cleverley has now been placed in charge on a permanent basis. That decision means Watford can really kick on with plans for the 2024/25 season and they can quickly start to put them into action in a bid to enjoy a vastly improved campaign. Image courtesy of: ANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS. Cleverley has drawn high praise for what he has got out of the current Watford group in a short time and with the backing and time over the summer, there will be excitement over what’s to come from the club as he takes the reins. Further recruits will be needed but it looks as though Colombian starlet Ricardo will be joining the ranks as Watford embark on a new era under Cleverley.