Report: Gomes to be put under pressure at Watford for number one spot

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Huerelho Gomes is expected to come under threat for his starting place next season as Watford fight AC Milan to sign chase Juventus ‘keeper.

The form of Heurelho Gomes over the past two seasons since Watford’s return to the Premier League has been on a par with the very best ‘keepers in the division. He is renowned for his penalty saves and he has kept Watford in many games, when they would have suffered heavy defeats but for his actions between the sticks.

Still, new Hornets’ manager Marco Silva is keen to sign 27-year-old Norberto Neto who is still under contract at Juventus until 2019. The Daily Mirror has cited Italian site Tuttosport in suggesting that the price-tag for the Brazilian Serie A keeper would be in the range of £8 million and that Napoli and Valencia are also targeting the young shot stopper.

More recently, Neto has been linked with AC Milan, according to the Hertfordshire Mercury, which would be a big blow to Silva’s plans.

Gomes is unlikely to be replaced easily though if the Brazilian or another young keeper is signed. He has now played 2010 games in England with the majority of them in the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur and Watford.

He made 84 diving saves last season and 115 saves in all, as well as one penalty save. His agility for a 36-year-old remains outstanding and his ability to pull off the sensational save has always been his trademark, as well as his gigantic throw.

Watford fell away quite sharply towards the end of last season, and that may well be behind the thoughts of Silvio who does not want a repeat in 2017/18. The side conceded 68 goals over the Premier League season with a goal difference of -28, only Swansea City let in more goals and survived, along with the Hornets.

It is unlikely that Silva believes Gomes was responsible for all the goals that the team conceded, but he needs to give Gomes more competition for his place to ensure he stays at his best.

At present Watford still have Costel Pantilimon at the club who has been linked with Belgian side Anderlecht, according to Antena 3, and Lithuanian keeper Giedrius Arlauskis, having seen Rene Gilmartin leave earlier this summer.