Watford FC mainstay touted for summer Vicarage Road transfer exit | OneFootball

Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann looks set to leave this summer.

Watford are reportedly willing to sell goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann after his recent absence from the first-team squad.

The Hornets will be approaching the summer transfer window in a cut-throat manner, after failing to build on early-season momentum and eventually falling to 14th after 46 games.

Picking up one point from their last five matches has highlighted the issues within the team and Bachmann appears to be first on the chopping block.

Watford look set to part ways with Daniel Bachmann this summer

According to a report from journalist Alan Nixon, Watford and Cleverley are now looking to part ways with the 30-year-old after falling out of favour under the ex-Man United midfielder.

The Austrian ‘keeper has been out for a large portion of 2025 after suffering an ankle injury in early January. After returning to the bench in a number of games across March and April, Bachmann has been omitted from the last four matchday squads, although it was claimed in mid-April by Cleverley that he wouldn't be risked at the time due to soreness in his ankle.

With three years left on his deal, it is believed that Watford are keen to cash in on the shot-stopper whilst they still can, with January arrival Egil Selvik outshining him in recent months.

A departure would spell the end of an eight-year stay in Hertfordshire for the 30-year-old, who signed from Stoke City in 2017.

Although rumours around Bachmann’s future have continued to swirl due to his unestablished nature in the side over the years, it seems like time may have finally been called on his Watford career.

A complete omission from the squad never usually spells good things, and with a reset expected at Vicarage Road, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Bachmann playing his trade elsewhere next term.

Five clean sheets in 22 Championship appearances isn’t an awful return in a side that has flattered to deceive at times this campaign, but injury woes have limited Bachmann’s influence in the squad, and it now appears that Cleverley would favour some fresh blood in between the sticks.

Daniel Bachmann could be the first casualty in a summer of change at Watford

As mentioned previously, going out with a whimper in the fashion Watford did this season isn’t what anyone at the club expects - especially when you factor in that six years ago they were Premier League regulars and FA Cup finalists.

If Bachmann does move on, the Hornets may potentially target a new goalkeeper to fill the void.

On the other hand, they could opt to promote from within. Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik arrived in January and has made the position his own, ultimately resigning Bachmann to his apparent fate.

As a result, the club may prioritise other areas of the pitch to improve first, whilst recruiting a back-up to Selvik in an attempt to revitalise their situation in between the sticks.

If this is the end for Bachmann, he will be sure to receive a great reception from the Hornets’ faithful, after eight years of service at Vicarage Road. There could still be a late twist in the tale, but right now, that doesn’t look likely.