Udinese loaned Saba Goglichidze to Watford in the January transfer window. The move has paid off but the Italian side are keeping a close eye on the Hornets’ backline.
The centre-back’s move to the Hornets was covered extensively by Sport Witness earlier this year. It was noted that the Georgian was once on the radar of major Italian clubs, as the likes of AC Milan and Juventus were keeping a close eye on him.
He’s played 11 times in the Championship for Watford, returning to the form he once showed at Empoli.
Along with Goglichidze, versatile centre-back James Abankwah has also been a regular in the backline.
Both the players are now being carefully monitored by Udinese.
Udinese trying to replace Oumar Solet
Il Gazzettino – relayed by UdineseBlog, note that the Friulian side are battling to keep hold of defender Oumar Solet. The Frenchman has come leaps and bounds since joining from Salzburg, catching the eye of Inter.
The centre-back himself is now looking for a new club. This has alerted Udinese, who are looking around for replacements. Ideally, Thomas Kristensen would be viewed as a successor but even he is of interest to English clubs.
This is making Kosta Runjaic’s side carefully evaluate Watford’s Abankwah and Goglichidze. The two are still on loan but have made quite a mark in the eyes of the Friulian club’s on-lookers.
There is every chance Runjaic will want to take a closer look at them, with the Irishman appearing as the most convincing option.
Naturally, this would end Watford’s chances of keeping the two players beyond the season.
Watford should keep Goglichidze
The report makes it clear that it is Abankwah who is more likely to play for Udinese regularly next season. This would leave Goglichidze as someone who can be on the fringes of the Udinese project.
He would play much more regularly at Watford, as evident from how this season has gone. It would also take his development forward, especially if he is to return to Italy at some point.
The Hornets will also benefit from that, as the 21-year-old has top-flight experience from his time in Serie A. He is still quite young and has enough time to establish himself completely.
