Watford are not being shy about recruiting new players in this transfer window. They have now completed their fourth signing of January, bringing in Bordeaux’s Samuel Kalu.
Watford Announce Samuel Kalu Signing
Kalu is a Hornet! 🇳🇬🐝
✍️ The Nigeria international winger joins from Bordeaux on a deal until June 2025.
@_AFEX
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) January 26, 2022
Samuel Kalu Arrives at Vicarage Road
Following a successful medical, Watford have confirmed the arrival of 24-year-old winger Kalu. Initial reports suggested the fee would be in the range of £3-4 million. However, Fabrizio Romano and other sources suggest the real price is in the region of £500,000 with bonuses.
This transfer was a rollercoaster in terms of reporting, for initial reports from France suggested a deal was on the cards, then British sources countered those claims before Italian and English outlets confirmed the initial French claims.
Kalu’s Vicarage Road contract runs until the summer of 2025.
High-Energy Winger Provides Depth and Starting Competition
Last season, amongst Ligue 1 attacking-midfielders and wingers, Kalu ranked in the 80th+ percentile for tackles, tackles won, percentage of dribblers tackled, and successful pressure percentage. This shows him to be a very useful outlet in a high-pressing team.
Furthermore, Kalu has an eye for the back of the net, finding the scoresheet 0.23 times more per 90 minutes than expected goals suggest, ranking in the top percentile for the category.
His role for the Hornets could be as a starter or dynamic option off the bench: it depends on injuries, tactics, fixture congestion, and the status of Ismaila Sarr. But, considering the cut-rate price of the transfer for the former £8-million player, the gamble is worth the risk. He does not immediately strain finances, and if Watford are to have to pay more down the line, that means the transfer will have been a success. He is also a player that could be seen as a pivotal Championship starter if Emmanuel Dennis and Sarr depart should the Hornets finish in the bottom three.
He is technically sound with lots of room to grow. Whether his talent translates to the scoresheet and opportunities remains to be seen, but the Hornets are wise to complete the transfer regardless of his role.
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