Championship club Watford seemingly look to be trying to push for one more signing before the close of the transfer window on September 1st at 7pm.
The Hornets have gotten off to a mediocre start, having registered one win and one loss, and sit in 14th place in the table. Manager Paulo Pezzolano, believes one more defensive signing to bolster his side, will help the Yellow Army to a playoff finish this year.
Who Is The Target
Watford join clubs such as Coventry and Stoke in the race to sign highly rated defender Luke Woolfenden. The Ipswich born centre-half has been highly sought after in recent weeks, with multiple championship level clubs looking to bring the Englishmen in on a permanent deal. The 26-year-old has a deal until 2027 in Suffolk, meaning he has another 2 years on his contract to run down.
Ipswich offered Woolfenden a new deal at the end of last year, after signing he stated: “I’m proud of what I have achieved at the Club, and I’m so pleased to have signed a new deal. The last two years have been amazing. I’m just loving every minute.” But now The Tractor Boys have a decision to make, he isn’t guaranteed first team minutes, so moving him on would free up funds and give him the game time he deserves.
During the 2017-2018 season Woolfenden had a loan spell at Bromley, making a total of 20 appearances while also bagging himself a goal. The season that followed he was loaned out to Swindon Town, where he appeared 36 times getting on the scoresheet twice. Since then, he has made 215 appearances for his hometown club Ipswich.
Watford Join The Race
Watford will see Woolfenden as someone to improve and tighten up their back line. The loyal centre-back has risen through the youth ranks at Ipswich, having played at numerous levels of youth football with the Suffolk based side.
The Yellows will face fierce competition from other championship clubs such as Stoke and Coventry, as they also look to bolster their back lines with a championship proven player. Furthermore, Stoke and Watford will tread cautiously after a bid from Coventry was rejected by The Tractor Boys.
What Could Woolfenden Bring To Watford
If Luke Woolfenden were to complete a transfer from Ipswich Town to Watford, here’s what he could realistically bring to the team.
Firstly, he would arrive with immense aerial ability, standing at six foot four he’s a major asset in both penalty areas. Watford, who have previously had troubles with defending set pieces, would gain a commanding presence in the air. Additionally, One of the Brits virtues is composure, he is able to stay extremely calm on the ball while playing out from the back, suiting Kieran McKenna’s style of ball playing centre-backs.
Woolfenden is the perfect example of loyalty in football. Having trusted the programme at Ipswich then going on to win two successive promotions, he shows a great attitude. Although, having deep links with Ipswich and may be reluctant to leave, his unwavering loyalty shows he is willing to trust any club that puts their trust in him.
In Conclusion
Luke Woolfenden would be a smart signing for Watford, offering height, composure, and strong ball-playing ability at the heart of defence. At 26, he’s entering his prime and brings valuable promotion-winning experience from Ipswich, along with the resilience and leadership qualities that could stabilise Watford’s back line. While his long contract means he wouldn’t come cheap, he has the profile to be a cornerstone signing and a key figure in any promotion push.
Overall, if Watford can fend off any competition and get Luke Woolfenden to make the switch to Vicarage Road it marks intent from Watford, showing they want to push on and make the next step up the footballing pyramid.
