Watford are heading into the Championship season with the help of a Man City starlet who has earned high acclaim from one of the greatest managers of all time.
Paulo Pezzolano was hired by Watford this summer, and the new manager didn’t waste any time in assembling the Hornets team in his image before the 2025–2026 Championship season.
In addition to finalizing agreements for players like Hector Kyprianou and Marc Bola earlier in the transfer window, Watford also acquired Nestory Irankunda from Bayern Munich this summer.
Pape Diallo passed up Watford for Norwich City, while Ashley Young picked Ipswich Town over a return to his old team, so the Hornets’ summer transfer window has been tarnished by setbacks.
With the impending arrival of a Manchester City player on loan—for whom Pep Guardiola has received high praise—the tide of transfers is now changing at Vicarage Road.
Watford set to sign Manchester City defender Max Alleyne on loan
Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph revealed on X: “Watford are close to agreeing a deal to sign Manchester City centre-back Max Alleyne.
“It’s understood WFC are seeking a season-long loan deal for the 20yo.
This summer, Watford lost a number of central defenders, including Antonio Tikvic, Ryan Porteous, and Francisco Sierralta.
For this reason, Pezzolano’s top priority this summer will have been to add a center-back.
Max Alleyne, a defender for Manchester City, is now set to join the Hornets on loan for the 2025–2026 Championship season.
Anthony Joseph, a reporter for Sky Sports, stated on X that Watford is almost certain to reach an agreement to sign Max Alleyne, a center back for Manchester City.
“WFC is reportedly looking to sign the 20-year-old to a season-long loan agreement.
“Alleyne and MCFC are also negotiating a contract extension before he goes on loan.”
Last season, 20-year-old Alleyne made 23 appearances for Man City’s academy, recording three assists and one goal as a center-back.
What Man City boss Pep Guardiola has said about Max Alleyne
Alleyne was denied a dream senior debut in the 2023–24 season when City defeated Red Star Belgrade 3-2.
With Alleyne on the field, City would have had six academy graduates, but Guardiola opted against it with the possibility of a comeback.
Nevertheless, Pezzolano and Watford fans will be pleased by his remarks regarding Alleyne.
“Congratulations to the academy for the last years, how many players came up, how many players we sold to the Premier League and Championship, and even more,” Guardiola stated in December 2023, according to the Manchester Evening News.
“It’s difficult to provide possibilities at that level because individuals in major teams don’t wait, but our scenario was ideal.
“At the end I wanted to put Max on as a central defender because he has a special quality with the ball but the game was not quite under control but it’s a big compliment for all the academy for many years.”
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