Rivals land Portsmouth-admired midfielder as Swansea City, Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle target seals big deal.
Pompey manager John Mousinho is a fan of one of the best free agents of the summer, but the Peterborough United captain was signed by Watford during a recruitment period when there were few suitable out-of-contract options available.
Pompey manager John Mousinho had his eye on Watford’s new midfielder, Hector Kyprianou.
Watford announced the signing of Kyprianou on Monday, as his contract with League One side Peterborough United ended.
Watford’s new signing dubbed ‘one of the best free agents’
The Posh captain was regarded as one of the best free agents available this summer, and in a year with few realistic options in that category, Pompey believe they can improve their squad.
Watford paid a high price to sign Kyprianou, who has been linked with Cardiff, Swansea, and Plymouth this season, thanks to a lengthy contract and, no doubt, wages reflecting that five-year duration.
Pompey discussed the former Leyton Orient player as they look to strengthen their own squad, with midfield being a key area of focus and Mousinho an admirer.
Watford, on the other hand, were successful in completing a deal for Kyprianou after a lengthy pursuit.
Pompey will look to spend their increased playing budget elsewhere this summer, with only 11 days until the transfer window opens.
Kyprianou will face Mousinho’s men in the Championship next season, with new manager Paulo Pezzolano succeeding Tom Cleverley.
He told the club’s official website: ‘It’s an incredible feeling to join this club.
‘It is a historic and massive club. I’m really excited to be a part of it right now.
‘The club matches my ambitions, which are to play as high as possible and to make the Premier League. Our ambitions are similar, which is why I chose Watford.
‘One of the reasons I joined was because they expressed a lot of interest in me for a long time, which adds a lot of value to me.
‘The fact that they wanted me is a huge positive. Paulo messaged me to say “welcome,” and we’re looking forward to working together.
‘It’s exciting to see a new face in the building and begin working with him.’
Andre Dozzell is delighted to be back at Pompey next season after triggering a contract extension. Picture: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
Pompey understand that the midfield is a priority for transfer attention in the coming months, with loanees Isaac Hayden and Freddie Potts returning to their parent clubs.
That leaves Andre Dozzell, Marlon Pack, and Abdoulaye Kamara as the contracted options in that area for next season.
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Dozzell was handed a new contract with Pompey following a successful season as a free agent after leaving QPR.
Pack was deployed as a makeshift centre-back due to injury issues in that position, and the 34-year-old spent eight of the final nine games of the season on the bench.
Kamara was given a four-year contract when he joined from Borussia Dortmund this season, but the 20-year-old quickly fell out of favour and was not named to a league squad after Boxing Day.
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