Watford suffer major blow as ‘outstanding’ star submits transfer request, Paulo Pezzolano truth emerges.
Watford are poised to be without one of their prized assets in the Championship next season after the latest update on his future.
Watford fired Tom Cleverley at the end of the 2024/25 Championship season and replaced him with Paulo Pezzolano.
Watford fans expressed reservations about Pezzolano upon his appointment, and the new Hornets manager will be trying to improve on Cleverley’s 14th-place result.
Watford are expected to finish in the play-offs next season, owing to the club’s hierarchy’s assessment of Pezzolano and their early summer activity, which included the signing of Hector Kyprianou.
Despite this, Watford has suffered a big setback in the summer transfer window as one of the club’s best players lodged a transfer request.
Imran Louza submits Watford transfer request amid summer window
Watford’s major loss is central midfielder Imran Louza, who was a key figure in the Hornets’ engine room last season, scoring twice and assisting five goals in 33 Championship outings.
Following his greatest season at Vicarage Road since arriving from Nantes in 2021, Moroccan international Louza has requested a transfer, only weeks after Pezzolano was appointed.
According to Sky Sports News, Louza “made the request as soon as the players returned for pre-season training, with a number of Ligue 1 clubs said to be interested in him.” Louza appeared in just two of Watford’s first 12 second-tier games, having spent previous season on loan at Lorient during their Ligue 2 relegation.
However, Louza established his starting position in the second half of the season and was widely appreciated by Cleverley.
Following Louza’s amazing score against Sunderland, the former Watford manager stated the Watford Observer, “Imran has that in his locker.” He has been fantastic since joining the team two or three months ago. “He has demonstrated strong character and leadership abilities.
“That was an excellent strike today, and he is capable of it.” Following several speculations about Pezzolano’s influence on Louza’s decision, Sky Sports has revealed the genuine reason behind the 26-year-old’s transfer request.
“No problem” between Imran Louza and Paulo Pezzolano at Watford.
According to The Sun, Louza wanted to quit Watford after a disagreement with new manager Pezzolano, despite the midfielder’s success under Cleverley.
Despite Watford’s contentious termination of Cleverley, Sky Sports News’ Anthony Joseph adds that “there is no issue between Louza and new boss Pezzolano”.
| Key statistic | Imran Louza | Hector Kyprianou |
| Games played | 33 | 34 |
| Goals | 2 | 3 |
| Assists | 5 | 1 |
| Chances created | 48 | 15 |
| Duels won | 148 | 168 |
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