Watford’s refusal to let Ismaila Sarr feature for Senegal at this month’s African Cup of Nations has certainly sparked plenty of debate.
One wonders whether Claudio Ranieri would have made a similar decision with Adam Masina, too, if the relegation-threatened Hornets were not so certain of landing a new left-back before the end of the January transfer window.
With Danny Rose’s fitness a cause for concern, Masina has started each of Watford’s last two Premier League games.
The Moroccan’s AFCON-induced absence, then, threatened to leave the Hertfordshire club severely lacking in left-backs over the next couple of weeks.
Fortunately, Watford are wasting no time at all as they look to ease a selection headache before it becomes a migraine of epic proportions.
According to The Sun, Watford have submitted a second bid for Rangers’ Borna Barisic, albeit one that falls substantially short of the Croatian’s £5 million price-tag.
A deal for Barisic will be easier said than done with Rangers in the midst of a heated title battle but Nice may be a little more accommodating when it comes to Hassane Kamara.
The 27-year-old Ivorian has fallen out of favour at the Ligue 1 outfit. And, according to FootMercato, talks are progressing regarding a £4 million move to Vicarage Road.
RMC Sport even claimed on Tuesday that a deal for Kamara – a long-time transfer target – is all-but done.
What next for Sead Kolasinac at Arsenal?
But while Kamara does appear to be on the move, the same cannot be said of another left-back who has been linked with a move to the banks of the Colne.
The Telegraph reported just before Christmas that Watford were also considering a move for Sead Kolasinac, Arsenal’s seldom-seen £100,000-a-week misfit.
This appeared to be a deal that would suit all parties down to the ground.
Watford needed a left-back. Arsenal needed to get a high-earning, out-of-favour player off the wage bill.
And, after playing just one minute of Premier League football since August’s 5-0 thumping at Manchester City, Kolasinac needed a change of scenery.
Unfortunately for him – and Arsenal for that matter – Watford now appear to be placing their eggs in other baskets.
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