"A poor signing" - Watford urged to U-turn on imminent transfer swoop for 34-year-old | OneFootball

The Hornets are interested in bringing Sissoko back to Vicarage Road, but not everyone is enthused about his seemingly likely return

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Experienced France international midfielder Moussa Sissoko could be set for a surprise return to Watford this summer.

The Hornets have offered Sissoko the chance to return to the club after his contract at French club Nantes came to an end, according to a report from TuttoMercatoWeb.

Sissoko played for the Hornets for just one season after moving from Tottenham as they were relegated from the Premier League during the 2021/22 campaign.

He was sold to Nantes for £1 million in the summer of 2022 as Watford prepared for their first season back in the second tier, after he exercised an option in his contract that enabled him to leave if he found a new club.

It now appears as though the 34-year-old is poised to make a return to Watford under his former team-mate Tom Cleverley, who is looking to build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the Championship in his first full season in charge.

Watford urged to look at alternative options to Moussa Sissoko

The Hornets are in need of new signings in the middle of the pitch following the exit of Jake Livermore at the end of his contract, whilst Canada international Ismael Kone was sold to Marseille in a deal that could reach £15 million.

Cleverley will hope that he can reinvest some of the money received for Kone in his playing squad, with discussions set to be held this week on how the transfer fee should be spent.

Sissoko, in theory, would provide the experience and energy that will be missing after the departure of Livermore and Kone. The Hornets could really do with at least a couple of new midfielders during this transfer window to ensure they have enough options next season.

Football League World's Watford fan pundit Justin Beattie is not convinced by the impending return of Sissoko though, and has instead urged the club to look for different options.

"During his previous spell at Watford, Moussa Sissoko was uninspiring as both a player and a captain," Justin told FLW.

"It is probably safe to say that not many fans were upset when he was moved on during the single season he spent with us.

"To see that he has been linked with us again has come as a bit of a surprise. At 34, nearly 35, with a supposed two-year deal being offered, it does seem strange. "Hopefully, he will only be being utilised as a backup experienced midfielder rather than a regular starter for Watford.

"Personally, I think this is a poor signing. I think we should be looking at new, hungry players rather than ex-players that were not all that great for us the first time around."

Watford must strengthen significantly in order to climb Championship table

This is an important transfer window for the Hornets, as they prepare for their third season in the Championship since relegation from the Premier League in 2022.

If Cleverley is backed this summer, there could be a sense of quiet optimism next season, but if the Hornets do not replace Kone and lose any of their other key players, then it could be another difficult season.

As Justin alluded to, Watford supporters will hope that Sissoko is being brought in to pass on his experience to younger midfielders, rather than be a key player in the Championship next season - even if he did play fairly regularly for Nantes in Ligue 1 last season.

With Watford cashing in on some of their best assets in the last two seasons though, some cash has got to be spent in order to help Cleverley build a squad capable of launching an assault on the play-off spots.