{"id":579949,"date":"2021-01-21T17:23:32","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T22:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=579949"},"modified":"2021-01-21T17:23:32","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T22:23:32","slug":"watford-linked-with-move-for-rennes-midfielder-james-lea-siliki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/21\/watford-linked-with-move-for-rennes-midfielder-james-lea-siliki\/","title":{"rendered":"Watford Linked With Move for Rennes Midfielder James Lea Siliki"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to Adam Leventhal of\u00a0The Athletic<\/a>, discussions between Rennes and Watford<\/a> regarding a potential move for James Lea Siliki.<\/p>\n

Watford in Talks to Sign James Lea Siliki<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Talks Between Clubs Ongoing<\/h3>\n

The deal between the clubs, if it happens, is to be a six-month loan with an option-to-buy at the end.<\/p>\n

Ismaila Sarr is a player who makes the move a bit more likely. The two are known to have had good chemistry during their days together in France. Lea Siliki<\/a> assisted Sarr in a Europa League<\/a> match against Arsenal<\/a> in 2019.<\/p>\n

The last time Watford<\/a> signed a player from Rennes<\/a>, they broke their transfer record by signing Sarr<\/a>. The most recent French midfielder the Hornets signed from Rennes was now \u00a320 million Abdoulaye Doucoure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Drop in Playing Time<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In the 2017\/18 campaign, the midfield played in 37 matches in all competitions for Rennes. The following season, he appeared in 34 matches. Last season, 29 matches. But this season, he has only seen the pitch 10 times in all competitions.<\/p>\n

The central midfielder by trade played on the left-wing in a Champions League<\/a> defeat against Chelsea<\/a>. Otherwise, he has appeared in his more natural central midfield role. Having only played 14% of possible league minutes, a move away from Roazhan Park makes the most sense.<\/p>\n

Etienne Capoue Replacement<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At the beginning of the January transfer window, Capoue was sold to Villareal<\/a>. The Hornets are yet to sign a replacement. Considering Watford\u2019s midfield depth and Will Hughes<\/a>\u2019 return from injury, someone to fill Capoue<\/a>\u2019s shoes was not deemed entirely necessary if the price was not right.<\/p>\n

The price is certainly right when it comes to Lea Siliki. The 24-year-old is a like-for-like Capoue replacement. Both are defensive midfielders who possess the ability to push forward with strong runs and break the lines with incisive passes.<\/p>\n

The loan deal would cost the Hornets only as much as Lea Siliki\u2019s wages. With the financial implications of the deal not being extreme, the Hornets will continue to try and push the deal over the line. If they achieve promotion, expect the option-to-buy to be utilised.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>