The Athletic has reported that Watford is in talks to sign Fluminense centre-back Kayky Almeida.
In preparation for the upcoming campaign, Watford wants to bolster their roster even more.
After assuming the permanent position at Vicarage Road near the conclusion of the previous season, manager Tom Cleverley is entrusted with moulding the team to his taste. In his first position behind the first team dugout, he will want to guide the Hornets to the Championship.
Over the years, many young people have passed through the doors of Vicarage Road, many of them going on to achieve great success. It appears that a fresh prospect may be approaching.
According to The Athletic, Watford is in early negotiations to sign Kayky Almeida, a 19-year-old who is currently contracted to Fluminense of Brazil. The present agreement is valued at €1 million, or slightly more than £840,000.
The player would be sent on loan to a European team if an agreement could be reached.
Almeida is a centre-back with left foot who was a regular for Fluminense’s junior team. Although his contract is set to expire at the end of 2027, it appears that he will be moving on to the Championship before that long-term agreement is up.
He has made one appearance for the Fluminense first team, and this transfer should allow him to advance more consistently.
If Kayky Almeida does sign with Watford, he may be going immediately out on loan to Europe, but his addition will increase their alternatives going forward in the middle of defence.
The Hornets are constantly seeking to add fresh players to their roster, as was previously mentioned, and this move represents them doing so once more.
Current centre-back alternatives include Wesley Hoedt, Ryan Porteous, Mattie Pollock, Francisco Sierralta, and recently signed Antonio Tikvic. The latter, though, is strongly associated with a transfer to Trabzonspor in Turkey.
As such, with the club planning to loan Almeida out upon arrival, it seems highly likely that they will pursue another option at the back in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.
Another South American star
Almeida wouldn’t be the first prospect to join from Fluminense, let alone South America.
Joao Pedro, Richarlison and Matheus Martins all joined Watford from the Brazilian club. The region as a whole has been a fruitful market for the club to recruit from though.
Yaser Asprilla signed from Colombian outfit Envigado while Cucho Hernandez and upcoming prospect Jorge Cabezas also came over from that nation.
It will be hoped there is more success to come from the region as a move for Almeida pushes on.
