Watford are pushing to complete several signings before the transfer window closes, with former Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles undergoing medical tests at the club's training ground on Friday. The Hornets, currently 9th in the Championship with 5 points from three games, are also in advanced talks with Dutch striker Myron Boadu.
Lascelles is a free agent after a short spell at Leicester City last season and could provide an experienced option at centre-back. His potential signing is not bound by Tuesday's 11pm deadline for standard transfers, giving the club more flexibility. Watford's defensive plans are a priority, with the club actively targeting two new centre-halves. Current options Mattie Pollock and Kevin Keben are available, but manager Alessio Dionisi did not name James Clarridge on the bench for Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
Udinese centre-back Branimir Mlacic has emerged as a concrete option after he was left out of the matchday squad for his club's 3-2 win at Monza. He had been on the bench for Udinese's two previous fixtures. There is also interest in bringing back former Watford defender Adam Masina, who has remodelled himself as a centre-back since leaving Vicarage Road in 2022. Another name linked earlier in the summer was Luton Town's Teden Mengi.
The 25-year-old striker was in the director's box for the West Ham game and is in discussions over a move to Vicarage Road. Boadu is available as a free agent after leaving PSV last month. He scored 38 goals in 88 appearances for AZ Alkmaar, which prompted Monaco to buy him for €17 million as a 20-year-old. A series of injuries have hampered his progress since that big-money move. His potential arrival would address Watford's desire to sign a centre-forward in the coming days.
Sporting director Luke Dowling stated at the start of August that the plan was to replace Nestory Irankunda with a new player this summer, indicating a winger is also on the shopping list. Watford still has several allocated loan spots available to fill. Another forward who has been training with the club for three weeks is Michail Antonio. The club's activity comes as they sit 9th in the table, having scored 4 goals and conceded 3 so far this season.
Manager Alessio Dionisi expressed his hope for new additions. "I hope for new players, I'm sure my club works for this. I believe in my team and I hope I will be happy," he said. The Hornets face a tough test in their next fixture, an away game against 6th-placed West Brom on September 5th. The team will be without Jeremy Ngakia, Kwadwo Baah, and Marc Bola, whose absence details are listed on our injuries page. The transfer window shuts roughly an hour after full-time in that away game at Swansea City, setting a clear deadline for the club's recruitment drive.
