標籤: Watfords

AS Saint-Étienne are hoping watford To sign Pierre Acqua permanently in the summer.

The Ligue 2 side, following a poor run of results, allowed the midfielder to move on loan to Watford in the winter market.

In August 2024, he joined Saint-Étienne from Sunderland with an option to buy initially set at €7m. At the time, they were in Ligue 1, and had performed regularly in the previous season.

The French club dropped out of the top division but moved up nonetheless and made their stay permanent using the stream.

This clearly did not please the 24-year-old, who refused to train with Saint-Étienne. Last September, Sports Witness broadcast news He is considering terminating his contract unilaterally.

However, he did not make the move, allowing his parent club to loan him to the Championship team in February.

He waited several weeks to make his debut for the Hornets.

Two months ago, Sports Witness Covered claims from France It will take time for him to get minutes. Before moving to Vicarage Road, he last made a competitive appearance in May 2025.

The situation is improving in Watford

Pierre Acqua made his debut for the English club in a 2–0 league defeat to Ipswich Town in February. Since then, Edward Still has given him minutes and the player has begun to gain prominence in recent weeks.

His championship statistics are as follows:

• Appearances: 7
• Start: 3
• Total minutes: 280
• Minutes per game: 40

As a player continues to start more games toward the end of the season his average minutes will improve.

green peopleA website that dedicates its coverage to the French club has a report on a possible exit for the next window.

The former Sunderland man’s recent improvement at Watford has pleased Saint-Étienne. He is hoping to make his stay permanent by using Still’s €7m buyout clause.

If this happens, it would provide the ‘significant financial benefit’ that the French club is looking for.

Our Opinion: Hornets can request transfer waiver

As of now, it is unclear whether Watford want to retain Pierre Acqua and if they do, whether they are willing to pay €7m.

If the decision is made to retain the midfielder, the Hornets can certainly try to reduce the price.

It is known that he has no future at Saint-Étienne, and the Championship club could take advantage of this to bring down the final price. This will happen only if Watford decides to buy him.

Watford are working on a deal to sign Mohamed Diop from AJEL Roufisc.

After playing with another Senegalese team, Wally Dan, the striker joined the Senegalese club on a free transfer in September 2025.

Diop has had a blast in his first season at AJEL Rufisch. This has not gone unnoticed in Europe, especially in Britain where Watford are showing keen interest.

The 17-year-old has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 19 league appearances so far this season.

Over the weekend, the youngster continued his good form by scoring the winner in his team’s 1–0 win over Casa Sports. This helped AJEL Rufisch extend their lead at the top of the table.

They have 39 points from 19 matches and are seven points ahead of the second-placed US Whites. The Watford goal is directly involved in at least 10 points. The frontman’s performances have attracted the attention of the Hornets and other European clubs.

Watford submit offer for signing

Last week, Sports Witness Covered Claims The French and Senegalese sides are said to be leading the race for Watford’s signature after beating Marseille.

Africa Foot Now pick him up and cover the Championship side’s latest efforts to try to bring him to London.

Edward Still’s side have offered €500,000 to bring the ‘Senegalese prodigy’ to Vicarage Road. Both the player and his club will analyze his offer. Discussions are going on between the two teams to reach an agreement.

The English club will have to be wary of competition from both Fenerbahçe and ES Sétif. The Turkish club are still unwilling to let go of Diop while top division Algerian side are also in the race for his signature.

Ibrahima Niane scored 19 goals for Generation Foot during the 2016/17 season. Africa Foot says this is the record for most goals scored in Senegal’s top division. Diop aims to break that record and is 10 goals away from equaling it.

Why do Watford need to worry about Fenerbahçe?

Still’s side are 10th in the table, eight points behind sixth-placed Wrexham, meaning a place in the Championship play-offs remains difficult.

Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, are second in the top division in Türkiye. Diop could play in Europe with an Istanbul club that Watford may not be able to offer any time soon.

The Hornets will have to convince the attacker to get his signature. If they do, Diop will have to wait until he turns 18 in January 2027 to reach the UK due to Brexit.

transfer market He is valued at €250,000 and Watford have offered their club double that amount. His contract is until 2028 and he is represented by British agency, Asfan Sports Management.

On winter deadline day, Watford completed the signing of Pierre Acqua from AS Saint-Étienne on a loan deal.

reverse oppositeA website that dedicates its coverage to the French club, takes a look at the midfielder’s situation at Watford.

Championship side take Acqua on loan until the end of the season Confirmed Option to buy.

Various sources have stated that the buyout clause is around €7m, while the Ligue 2 side have made no mention of a purchase option.

Akwa’s clash at Watford

The 24-year-old has experience playing in the Championship with Sunderland.

Acquah has not made any appearances for the Hornets since returning to the league. In fact, he has not even found a place in the match-day squad for his new club.

The outlet now gives its opinion on why the former Black Cats midfielder has yet to make his Watford debut.

To understand this, it is important to know in detail his sale to the French club. He initially joined them on loan from Sunderland in August 2024 and made 30 appearances in all competitions last season.

Conflict over the sale of Aqua to Saint-Étienne

Saint-Étienne had secured a purchase option from Regis Le Bris. He activated it despite being relegated from Ligue 1 last summer.

This did not please the French, who refused to play or train with Saint-Étienne. sports witness covered drama Around this saga at the beginning of the season.

there was also talk of Potential legal battle To resolve the dispute. It is unclear whether there is one at this time, but Acqua decided to temporarily leave Saint-Étienne to join Watford.

Due to his conflict with the Ligue 2 side, he stopped representing them in training or in official or friendly matches. The outlet points out that his last meeting with Saint-Étienne was their 3-2 defeat against Toulouse in May 2025.

Therefore, for Aqua it is ‘normal that it is taking time’. EnvertatContratus suggests he may not return to the field anytime soon.