Udinese keep one former Watford player but lose another

Last week, reports in both Italy and Turkey suggested the Argentinian was on his way to Besiktas, who had offered a three-year-deal which Pereyra had accepted.

However, a story on Italian website Calciomercato.com, says both Inter and Milan have now entered the race to sign the 32-year-old.

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Pereyra turned down the chance to stay at Udinese, and reports suggest he’d be happy to move to Turkey but understandably wants to see if either of the two Milan clubs follow up their interest.

Having made 68 appearances for Juventus before moving to Watford, and another 200 Serie A outings for Udinese after leaving in 2020, Pereyra is highly experienced in Italian football.

While at Vicarage Road, he made 115 appearances and scored 18 times.

Another ex-Hornet definitely staying at Udinese is winger Gerard Deulofeu, who has signed a new contract.

The Spaniard’s previous deal was coming to an end, but he announced his extension during a press conference last week.

“You’ve known for a while that I’ve been saying how happy I am to be in Udine,” he said.

“My experience in life and in football taught me that I need to value where I am. I’m happy here, I’m doing well, I appreciate the city, the club, and that is what’s important.

“We need to take Udinese where it deserves to be and where I think we can be.”

The 29-year-old started last season well with two goals and six assists in 16 Serie A appearances, but then suffered a serious knee injury in mid-November.

“Fortunately, I feel good now,” he said.

“I haven’t set a date for my return, but if my body keeps reacting like this, it will be soon.”

Deulofeu was a fan favourite during his time at Vicarage Road, and his incredible FA Cup semi-final goal at Wembley was one of 17 he scored in 70 outings for the Hornets.

Dennis in action for Forest last season against Manchester United (Image: PA)

Another former Watford forward, Emmanuel Dennis, appears to be on the move after a disappointing season in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest.

Dennis joined Forest less than a year ago, having started both of Watford’s first two Championship games last season.

He scored twice in 19 Premier League outings as Forest stayed up, but only six of those appearances were as a starter, and the last of those was in early April. He played only 30 minutes in the last nine Premier League games.

The Yorkshire Post report that relegated Leeds United are keen to sign the Nigerian international.

A spate of departures has started to make the Leeds squad appear thin and the Whites look particularly light up front. They have lost two players from the striking department this summer, with Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts both having sealed permanent exits.

Matthew Briggs, who played in both legs of Watford’s Championship Play-Off semi-final win over Leicester in 2013, has just signed for his 16th different club at the age of 32.

The defender made his Premier League debut aged 16 years and 68 days for Fulham in 2007, and held the record for the youngest top-flight player until Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott broke it four years while still at Fulham.

Briggs made seven outings for Watford at the end of the 2012/13 season on loan from Fulham, and well done if you remembered he scored in a 4-0 win over Blackburn.

Since then he has played for Millwall, Colchester and Chesterfield, had two spells in Denmark and played for numerous non-league clubs, the latest of which is Isthmian Premier Division side Horsham, who he signed for at the weekend.