Watford have enquired about the availability of Inter Milan fullback Yuto Nagatomo next summer. According to recent reports, the Japanese left-back is currently out on a loan at Galatasaray and is set to come back to the San Siro at the end of the campaign. His agent has recently confirmed that the 31-year-old will return to Inter next summer as the Turkish club doesn’t seem to have an option to sign him permanently. However, it is believed that his future lies away from Milan with the Premier League pair of Watford and West Ham United both interested in the services of the veteran defender.
Some sources are claiming the two English clubs have enquired about the player’s availability and could make a move for him in the summer ahead of their new campaign in the top tier of English football. It is expected that talks will intensify in the coming weeks with Galatasaray also in the mix to sign him. Only time will tell what lies ahead in the future of the Japanese international.
Nagatomo has featured in 13 matches for Inter Milan and 5 matches for Galatasaray in all competitions this season but is yet to find the back of the net. The former FC Tokyo has a wealth of experience at the international stage having represented his nation, Japan in 101 matches. He also has three goals to his name during his international career.
Watford are currently sitting in 10th place in the Premier League standings with a tally of 33 points in 28 league matches. They are still just six points above the drop zone with just 10 games remaining in this campaign. The Hornets are hoping for a change in fortunes under their new boss Javi Gracia with a home game against West Brom looming on the horizon. The addition of Nagatomo will undoubtedly bolster Javi Gracia’s defensive options next season and his wealth of experience will be a valuable asset when the going gets tough for the Hertfordshire outfit.
The Hornets already have the likes of Marvin Zeegelaar and Jose Holebas vying for a place in Javi Gracia’s starting eleven and the arrival of Nagatomo could add more competition for places in the Watford first-team next season.
Nagatomo is highly versatile and can operate in a number of different positions which include playing in both the left and right fullback positions while also having the ability to be deployed on a more advanced role on the left flank that makes him an ideal asset for any of his potential suitors. It remains to be seen whether the Hornets are successful in fending off stiff competition in pursuit of the Japanese defender’s signature next summer.
