Watford winger Gerard Deulofeu has admitted that it is ‘likely’ that he will leave Vicarage Road this summer amid speculation surrounding a switch to Crystal Palace, speaking to Onda Cero.
While the Hornets are yet to lose any of their big name stars since a five-year spell in the Premier League came to an end, it seems only a matter of time.
Ismaila Sarr has made it clear that he is not going to hand in a transfer request and go on strike to force a move away, but the chance to join Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool is surely one he could not turn down.
£25 million-rated midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, meanwhile, is wanted by Everton, Wolves and Fulham (the Standard).
And, after the Standard claimed that Palace had identified Deulofeu as a potential loan target, the Spain international has made it clear that his future lies away from Hertfordshire.
“Most likely, there will be a move to another club after a very bad season,” says the former Barcelona youngster, who would jump at the chance to enjoy a second spell at the San Siro.
“I was very happy at AC Milan and, today, it is a good option.”
Described as ‘magic’ by Roberto Martinez during his formative years at Everton, Deulofeu is a player capable of winning games all on his own – even if consistency remains as elusive as ever.
Just last season, the 26-year-old produced 12 goals and five assists including a sensational hat-trick against Cardiff City and a remarkable, Man of the Match performance in the FA Cup semi-final against Wolves.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, scored just 31 goals in 38 league games in 2019/20 and, with Wilfried Zaha’s future more uncertain than ever, a fit and firing Deulofeu could be an inspired addition to Roy Hodgson’s toothless frontline.
The Sun (9 August, page 60) suggests that his £15 million price-tag, and £85,000-a-week wages, is a potential stumbling block.
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