Watford transfer: Hornets eyeing double raid for Arsenal duo

Add as preferred source on Google

Watford are considering asking Arsenal about the availability of Eddie Nketiah and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to the Daily Mail.

The Hornets came second in the Championship last season and ensured an instant return to the Premier League.

Now, Xisco Munoz will go in search of some players to make sure they’re well-stocked for their top-flight return.

Goals are always in the sights of newly-promoted teams. As a result, their interest in Nketiah perhaps comes as no surprise.

Last season, the leading England under-21 goalscorer struggled for game time.

He scored six goals and claimed one assist from 30 outings, with a large number of his appearances coming from the bench.

Arsenal will consider selling Nketiah this summer after he slipped down the pecking under Mikel Arteta.

At 22 the time has come for him to play regular first-team football and he has plenty to prove in the top-flight.

It is thought that Watford have already asked about Maitland-Niles, although they do face competition.

Southampton are also keen on signing the player who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom.

He played 15 times and was largely used a central midfielder during his time at The Hawthorns.

West Brom were relegated at the back end of last season and they won’t be re-entering the race again this time around.

Watford can pull off real coup with double Arsenal capture

The newly-promoted teams always have to be savvy in the market and right now, Watford would probably take 17th place next season.

Showing a bit of ambition would be wise though and it’d definitely appease the supporters.

Signing Nketiah and Maitland-Niles could prove game-changing.

Arsenal are willing to let both players leave and there could be some real potential for Watford.

Maitland-Niles is versatile and a player who on his day is extremely exciting. He could compliment the Hornets just nicely, along with Nketiah.

The striker has lost his way a little bit, although the 22-year-old is extremely talented.

Watford might not be overly fancied to stay up next season. Completing the double raid on Arsenal, however, would go a long way towards convincing people otherwise.