'Deal done' - Arsenal and Everton beaten to £25m 'fantastic' Watford star

Watford are set to cash in on the rising star.Watford are set to cash in on the rising star.
Watford are set to cash in on the rising star. | Getty Images
The Championship winger turned heads as he impressed for Watford last season.

Watford winger Yaser Asprilla is on the verge of completing a move to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad this summer as a £25 million agreement is struck between the two clubs.

The 20-year-old has been the centre of a transfer storm so far this summer after an impressive season for the Hornets last time out. The player was one of the Championship's standout stars during the 2023/24 campaign, grabbing six goals and seven assists in 44 appearances.

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Asprilla's performances at such a young age had reportedly turned the heads of Premier League clubs. Arsenal had long been linked with interest in the player's services with Everton also emerging as a potential destination in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, GiveMeSport reported that both the Gunners and the Toffees were 'pushing' to complete a deal for the Watford man, who recently represented Colombia at the Copa America. Earlier in the window, a lofty £40 million price tag had been slapped on Asprilla but with just a year left on his contract, it was thought Premier League sides were hoping a £15m agreement could be made.

Despite the reports, Asprilla's agent Jonathan Restrepo told El VBar Caracol earlier this summer: “No one has contacted from Leicester. There is interest from other Premier clubs and other European countries.

"Arsenal have never asked me a question. These are things that the media is putting out.”

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Now, according to a fresh report from Italian outlet Calcio Napoli, Asprilla will join Al-Ittihad for £25 million. The deal is of significance to the site given the fact that Watford's owners are the Italian business-owning Pozzo family.

The report claims that Asprilla has been offered a lucrative salary and that the £25 million profit was too good an offer for the Championship outfit to turn down. The Colombian arrived at Vicarage Road from Envigado in 2022 for around £2.5 million.

Arsenal had been linked with transfer interest in the player.Arsenal had been linked with transfer interest in the player.
Arsenal had been linked with transfer interest in the player. | Getty Images

Asprilla came under huge praise from Jake Livermore earlier this season, complementing his development under former manager Valerian Ismael. He told SkyBet: “There’s no doubt about it, he [Yaser Asprilla] has fantastic ability, and it’s a pleasure to play alongside him. The manager has got the best out of him, which is difficult at such a young age and when games come thick and fast.

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“The manager has been brilliant with him, and it’s difficult coming from different cultures, different styles of play since he’s been here – he's had a few styles of play to play under – but he’s really trying to take it on board. With all those factors included, it shows what a great all-rounder he is – he's got all the ability there and I am sure he’ll flourish once it all comes together.”

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