Watford FC may fear Norwich City hijack amid £15m transfer reveal

Watford FC may fear Norwich City hijack amid £15m transfer reveal

If Norwich City is able to sabotage a deal for Pape Diallo this summer, Watford FC may suffer a transfer setback.

The Senegal international was on the verge of joining the Hornets, but recent events involving Borja Sainz, who is

headed to Porto, might have tipped the scales in the Canaries’ favour.

Norwich City could hijack Watford’s Pape Diallo deal

Watford has been keeping a close eye on Diallo, and Norwich has entered the competition to recruit him.

An 11th-hour intervention by the Canaries has thrown a wrench in the works of a deal that was thought to be close.

Journalist Nizaar Kinhella claimed on his X account in early July that the Hornets were in “advanced talks” to

finalise a £4.3 million deal for the Metz forward.

Recent events, nevertheless, might have tipped the scales in Norwich’s advantage. The Sun’s Charlie Wyett

confirmed on social media that the Norfolk club was interested in Diallo, while Nick Mashiter of the BBC also

explained City’s interest in the 21-year-old.

The seven-time Senegal international played a key role in the nation’s successful 2023 African Cup of Nations

campaign and scored twice for his country. Prior to beginning the final, which was won in a penalty shootout, he

scored the game-winning goal in the semifinal.

In club football, Diallo has made his mark too.

He enjoyed his best season to date in terms of attacking output in 2024/25, scoring seven times as Metz secured

promotion into the top tier of French football.

The forward has nine goals across two full seasons with the Metz first-team, competing in Ligue 2 most recently.

Would be hard to watch for the Championship Hornets

The announcement coincides with Borja Sainz’s apparent move away from Carrow Road, which might fetch Norwich

£14.5 million.

The attacker, who finished the Sky Bet Championship as the second-highest goalscorer last season, is reportedly his

route to Portugal to complete a transfer to Porto, the nation’s reigning champions.

Norwich may be able to successfully hijack the deal for Diallo with the help of the windfall they are expected to

receive from Porto.

Sainz only has one season left on his contract with the Canaries, so it was not shocking to see him frequently linked

to a move that now appears to be certain. It is difficult to replace the dynamic Sainz, who primarily attacks from the

left. However, Norwich may have found a young, active substitute with a lot of potential in Diallo, who is 21 years

old.

Norwich might force Watford out of the running and get a chance to view the Senegal international for themselves

with the additional money they are expected to get from the sale of Sainz. The Hornets would then have to watch

Diallo demonstrate his abilities for a divisional foe, which might be a pain in the teeth.

Losing to a Championship team trying to move up the promotion-chasing pack would be a serious setback before the

2025–2026 season had even begun. Losing in any transfer competition is a setback.

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