Watford target Premier League star as Leeds United get £2.5m news
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Watford face competition from Leeds United for a Serie B midfielder.
It may still feel as if the Championship season has just finished but it's now less than a month until Watford kick off their pre-season preparations against League One side Reading.
It was a long campaign for Hornets supporters last season and Tom Cleverley will be hoping for less of a rollercoaster ride next time out.
Here's your latest transfer round-up of rumours from Vicarage Road, including competition from Leeds United.
Watford linked with Premier League star
Watford could look to capitalise on a potential Sheffield United contract u-turn this summer with the London outfit linked with a move for midfielder Ben Osborn.
The 29-year-old, who made 24 Premier League appearances as the Blades were relegated last term, was expected to sign a new deal at Bramall Lane this summer with his current contract coming to a close. Osborn was not one of the players the club bid farewell to at the end of the top flight campaign.
However, transfer specialist Alan Nixon now reports that Osborn could still leave the club on a free transfer with Watford frontrunners to secure his signature. Newly promoted Championship side Derby County are also linked with interest.
The midfielder joined Sheffield United from Nottingham Forest in 2019 and has racked up 134 appearances for the club. The player has vast Championship experience to his name with 266 appearances in the division.
Leeds United provide competition for Serie B star
Watford have also been named as one of the clubs linked with a move for Reggiana star Natan Girma after the midfielder enjoyed a head-turning campaign in the Serie B.
However, the Hornets face serious competition from Leeds United, with the Yorkshire giants also linked with a move for the 22-year-old as Daniel Farke prepares another promotion push at Elland Road.
Girma only joined Reggiana on a free transfer from Sona in July 2023 but five goals and three assists across 26 league appearances has caught the attention of the Championship sides. The Swiss star is under contract until 2027 but Italian outlet Sport Quotidiano suggests that a £2.5 million bid would be enough for the Serie B outfit to green light an exit after just 12 months.