Watford duo Gerard Deulofeu and Kiko Femenia could be set for a reunion with Javi Gracia at La Liga giants Valencia, according to AS.
With their five season stay in the Premier League coming to an abrupt end thanks to a 3-2 final day defeat to Arsenal, Hornets fans, players and directors alike could be forgiven for wondering how different things could have been if they had shown a little more faith in Gracia.
The softly-spoken Spaniard was sacked just four months after reaching the FA Cup final for the first time since 1984, paying the price for a dreadful beginning to the 2019/20 campaign.
But while Watford are now preparing for trips to Barnsley, Bristol and Blackburn, Gracia will be looking to rebuild his reputation at one of the biggest and best-supported clubs in European football.
A man who led a now crisis-hit Malaga team to successive top-half finishes remains very well respected in Spain – but he certainly has his work cut out if he is to survive in the shark pit that is the Mestalla.
Gracia is the seventh permanent manager to take charge at Valencia since Singaporean businessman Peter Lim took control in 2014, following Nuno Espirito Santo, Cesare Prandelli, Marcelino and, erm, Gary Neville.
And, according to AS, the former Rubin Kazan coach is hoping to strengthen an underachieving Los Che squad by luring Deulofeu and Kiko back to their homeland.
For what it’s worth, the winger and the right-back are understood to be keen on a move to the 2001 Champions League finalists – but whether Valencia can finance deals for the Hornets duo is another matter altogether.
The cash-strapped club have put almost every single player up for sale. And, as AS points out, Gracia may have to rely on loan deals rather than permanent transfers.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
