Watford in line to keep Championship Player of the Year Matej Vydra

Reports emanating from a leading Udinese blog suggest that Watford are in line to maintain the services of nPower Championship Player of the Year Matej Vydra.

The future of the loan starlet, who struck 20 times over the course of the season, was cast into doubt after the Hornets were beaten by Crystal Palace in the Championship play-off final on Monday.

However, following an exclusive interview with owner Giampaolo Pozzo, who is also the head at Udinese and Granada, Udineseblog has suggested that Vydra, 21, is likely to remain at Watford, with a lucrative five-year deal said to be on the table.

The Czech international, signed by Udinese in 2010, is rumoured to have drawn attention from both Arsenal and Tottenham, but it is believed a substantial bid would have to be made in order to prise him to north London.

Vydra was joined on loan at Vicarage Road by nine other Udinese players last summer, while Daniel Pudil and Ikechi Anya arrived from Granada on similar terms, following Pozzo's acquirement of the Hertfordshire club in June 2012.

Due to the controversy caused by Watford's transfer policy though, the Football League is soon expected to vote in favour of capping the number of foreign loans its clubs are allowed to make, which could see the Hornets make a number of permanent signings.

Udineseblog also believes that first-team regulars Almen Abdi, Cristian Battochio and Joel Ekstrand, as well as Pudil, will sign permanently, along with Neuton Piccoli, whose season was hampered by injury, despite Watford being under a transfer embargo until the end of August.

The restriction, in place due to improper financial dealings during the reign of former owner Laurence Bassini, means the Hornets will only be able to sign players on a case-by-case basis, but should not prevent them building for another promotion push.

As such, they are also said to be working on retaining Marco Cassetti, while Fernando Forestieri made his move permanent earlier this year.

New faces at Watford next season, according to Udineseblog, could include Swedish international forward Mathias Ranegie, Nigerian attacker Odion Ighalo, rumoured also to be a target for Swansea City, as well as young Italian defender Daniele Mori, and Brazilian playmaker Maicosuel.

Meanwhile, it appears forward Alex Geijo, who was used sparingly by Gianfranco Zola throughout the Hornets' campaign, will return to Udinese, possibly with a view to playing in Spain next season.

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/watford/watford_in_line_to_keep_championship_player_of_the_year_matej_vydra__rss4236636.shtml