Premier League strugglers Leeds United looked at Matheus Martins over the summer and the Fluminense starlet is now expected to end up at Championship outfit Watford instead, explains Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola.
Whatever supporters think of those Gino Pozzo connections, it must be said that they open the door for a club of Watford’s size and stature to bring in players who would normally be well out of their reach.
Take Matheus Martins, for instance.
Just a couple of months ago, the 19-year-old forward (just one of what seems like a never-ending supply of right-footed left-wingers rising through the ranks in Brazil), was being watched by Benfica and Ajax; two of Europe’s most renowned developers of young talent.
Top-flight Leeds United were also keen. Ditto Champions League regulars Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian giants submitted a £6 million bid over the summer. Flash forward to January 2023, however, and Martins should be shimmying and slaloming his way through Championship defences in the yellow of Watford.
Watford could sign Matheus Martins after Leeds United links
“Martins has held advanced talks with the Italian club Udinese,” Nicola explains.
The teenager, he says, should end up at Vicarage Road on loan for the second half of this season.
“Udinese will pay around 9 million euros. The idea is that Martins will sign in January and he would play from January to July at Watford.”
Udinese, of course, are also owned by the Pozzo family. Both clubs have exchanged many a player over the years; Gerard Deulofeu, Isaac Success and Roberto Perreyra currently impressing for a high-flying Udinese side. They are just three points outside the Champions League places in Serie A.
“They are speculating on this but, so far, what I know is that negotiations are ongoing,” Martins tells Globo Esporte. “(When something becomes official) everyone will know.
“I want to play abroad, in Europe, I think it will happen at the right time. If it has to happen now, it will happen. If it happens later, no problem either. All in God’s time.”
Martins has eight goals and three assists for Fluminense this season.
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