Watford signing Krépin Diatta’s agent Thierno Seydi says he was under immense pressure from officials and those close to him to help him secure a move.
The 27-year-old had been without a club since leaving AS Monaco at the end of last season. He failed to find a club in the summer and secured a move to Watford earlier this month.
His status as a free agent allowed the Championship side to complete his signing outside the window.
The Senegal international spent three years at Club Brugge and left them for the Ligue 1 side in 2021.
At Monaco, he mainly operated as a right winger, occasionally playing on both sides of defence and as a wing-back. Diatta left them with eight goals and nine assists from 143 matches.
Watford man’s agent opens up about pressure
Krépin Diatta played every minute during the World Cup, where Senegal lost to Belgium in Round of 32.
Thierno Seydi was a guest on SportElles channel and opened up what happened in the last few months with his client. Africa Foot have relayed his comments.
The agent was surprised he didn’t get offers when the window was open.
“After the World Cup, we were convinced we were going to get offers. Because it wasn’t for lack of trying. We offered him everywhere. That’s why this case, at one point, caused me insomnia,” he said.
“My own wife was putting pressure on me, asking, ‘Where do you stand on my son’s situation?’ Because my wife is very fond of Krépin, who is very close to my children.”
“It was supposed to be the easiest case, but it became difficult. The pressure I was under was unprecedented. People were calling me from everywhere, even authorities at a certain level.”
Why Watford player waited until October
In June, we relayed news of Crystal Palace wanting to sign the versatile player for free. Everton also had him on their target list, and the Premier League duo didn’t get the deal over the line.
On October 1st, Watford signed the Senegalese for free and offered him a contract until 2027. Thierno Seydi blames Krépin Diatta for not securing a move while the window was open, resulting in a compromise to join the Hornets.
“Krépin Diatta had excessively high salary demands, to the point of rejecting several clubs that had expressed interest in him,” Seydi explained.
“He now finds himself at Watford, with a salary considerably lower than what some clubs were offering him at the beginning of the transfer window.”
Diatta is yet to make his debut for the Championship side and may need time to get into rhythm. He could have avoided this by accepting one of the offers received during the transfer window.
