For whatever reason, and there’s likely a few, Obbi Oulare didn’t really work out at Watford.
Arriving as a young talented striker, Oulare was always expected to go out on loan, but despite going to Zulte Waregem, Willem II and Antwerp, the temporary moves didn’t really seem to get him any closer to Watford’s first team.
Not especially keen to stick around and fight, Sport Witness was informed in August that Oulare was ‘crazy’ about a return to Antwerp, on a permanent basis, and the two clubs were said to be in talks.
That didn’t lead to the result the player wanted, but he did get a Belgium return, this time with Standard Liege on a loan deal.
He’d already been with them as a youth. In fact, despite being just 22 years of age, Oulare has spent time at five of the 16 clubs in the Belgium first division, as well as Lille in France and Dutch club Willem.
A clean break with Watford is likely needed, and Standard have an option to purchase.
That potential future transfer was put in danger with Oulare’s recovery from hip surgery, and he said in August: “My goal is simple. I want to play in 2018, but I don’t have a fixed date in mind.”
Now there’s some brighter news for everyone involved. Belgium’s DH report the footballer is expected to resume group training next week and his return is becoming ‘more and more precise’.
As soon as he gets on the pitch and starts performing, Watford’s chances of a sale will rise sharply.