Watford director says Hornets star has ‘many admirers’ in PL – Giaretta on incoming and outgoing transfers

Watford sporting director Cristiano Giaretta has told TuttoMercatoWeb that João Pedro is gathering a lot of interest from the Premier League.

The forward has impressed for the Hornets this season, managing nine goals and two assists from 28 league matches. His displays seem to have caught AC Milan’s attention.

TMW specifically asked the Watford chief about the Serie A side’s reported interest in Pedro.

“I can say that he has an ‘England’ price, we haven’t received any requests or proposals from Italy. He has many admirers in the Premier League but the truth, and we are happy about him, is that he is 110% focused on our run-up to the playoffs,” he said.

Another Watford attacker, Ismaïla Sarr, has managed nine goals and five assists from 31 games. With a deal expiring in 2024, the Senegal international is linked with a move away from Vicarage Road in the summer.

On the constant rumours around Sarr’s future, Giaretta explained:“Net of journalistic speculation, what is true is one thing: nobody wants to return to the Premier League as much as Sarr. He is dedicated to our cause, at best, and for us he is a reference.”

Watford took Matheus Martins on loan from Udinese in January after the latter signed him from Fluminense in the same window. He hasn’t featured since mid-February and the Hornets chief was asked about Martins’ situation.

“He’s doing well, he needs this period of adaptation. The Championship is a different championship, there has been a managerial change but we are convinced, indeed certain, that he is a crack,” Giaretta added.

On looking at the South American market to strengthen Watford’s squad, the director said: “Historically we have always done it, with Brazil in particular, a market that is now becoming increasingly expensive.

“There are Colombia and Ecuador as interesting markets but there we understood that, due to its proximity, culture and tradition, the United States has great appeal and MLS is a real competitor.”

Watford are currently 10th in the table, five points behind sixth placed Milwall. Giaretta insists it will be a failure if his side fail to qualify for the Championship playoffs.

“We’re there, there are nine games to play and try to win. It was an unlucky season, we had a period where even 14 players were missing and we were forced to make extensive use of the Under 21 team. But now everyone is back, there are no excuses: we have to reach the playoffs,” he stressed.