Watford have overtaken Marseille in the race to sign Senegalese youngster Mouhamed Diop.
The Championship side have successfully targeted African players in recent years to improve their squad. Watford have found a route of transfer success and plan to follow it again.
A few examples include signing Nigerian Emmanuel Dennis in 2021 and again on loan in 2024, Mali international Abdoulaye Doucouré in 2016, Senegalese Ismaïla Sarr in 2019 and DR Congo international Edo Kayembe in 2022.
Kayembe, Moroccan duo Othmane Maamma and Imrân Louza, Cameroonian Kévin Keben, Seneaglese duo Formose Mendy and Nampalys Mendy and Malian Mamadou Doumbia are in Edward Still’s squad.
Dennis and Sarr impressed during their spells at Watford, helping the Hornets earn well from their sales. 20-year-old Maamma, who won the African Young Player of the Year award in 2025, could be the next big sale.
Sport Witness recently covered claims that Newcastle United, Brentford and Burnley are in the mix to sign him.
Hornets keen on Diop
Watford have now set their sights on 17-year-old Mouhamed Diop, according to Foot Mercato.
He plays for AJEL Rufisque, a Senegalese top division club that was formed in 2014. They are the reigning league champions.
The striker has scored eight goals from 17 league matches so far this season. He’s the Senegalese Ligue 1’s top scorer, ahead of Casa Sports’ Boubacar Coly, who has scored seven goals.
Diop’s rapid rise at AJEL Rufisque has caught Watford’s attention, and they have closely monitored him.
Earlier this week, a Hornets official made a trip to Africa, which is an indication of their concrete interest. The Championship club have made a move to secure his services.
Foot Mercato state: ‘This move is part of Watford’s recruitment strategy, which had already achieved a similar success with the arrival of the young Malian Mamadou Doumbia.’
Wiw Sport in Senegal relay Foot Mercato’s claim and then share their own updates on this case.
Marseille have also had Diop on their agenda, but Watford have now beaten them in the transfer race. As of now, everything suggests he will move to England in the summer.
Diop’s contract, value and stats
According to Transfermarkt, the player is represented by English agent Alioune Seck, who heads a London based agency, Asfan Sports Management.
The representative is well placed to help Watford.
Diop has a contract until 2028, and Transfermarkt value him at €250,000. Despite Watford’s interest, the frontman won’t be able to move to England this year.
The forward will only turn 18 years of age in January 2027, and until then, he won’t be able to arrive in the UK. That’s due to a change in football related work permit rules, but Watford can still secure his feature and leave him where he is until then.
