According to FC Inter News, Watford are one of the interested parties who would like to give Yuto Nagatomo an escape in the next summer window. The Japanese international is currently spending a loan spell away to Turkish outfit, Galatasaray and is unsettled due to a lack of regular minutes for the senior team.
Although he has long been regarded as an important first-team member at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Nagatomo has managed only a peripheral role in the first half of the season having appeared in just 11 of Inter’s Serie A matches.
With the World Cup in Russia on the horizon, Nagatomo opted for the loan move to ensure he remains in Japan head coach, Alberto Zaccheroni’s plans.
While Nagatomo has established himself as Japan’s first-choice left-back since the 2010 World Cup, the emergence of several young prospects, including Shintaro Kurumaya of J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale, has made it crucial that he plays his fair share of football before the World Cup comes around in June.
Nagatomo becomes the second Japanese to represent Galatasaray after midfielder Junichi Inamoto, who played for the 20-time Super Lig champions in the 2006-07 season. He has managed to carve out a starting role with 4 starts ever since his arrival to the Türk Telekom Stadium.
Watford started off the season in scintillating form and at some point even matched strides with Leicester and Burnley for the 7th spot, but now it looks like they have run out of steam and a series of injuries to key players have really stunted their progress.
Marco Silva management style took a huge detour and according to some fans and critics was rightfully sacked by the Watford management. Who thought that their promising season would wither out so fast?
However all is not lost and now with Javi Gracia at the helm, the club is ready to resume their seasonal plans of finishing the season in the top half of the table, well away from the relegation zone.
The Hornets are in the 10th spot of the points table after winning the game against Chelsea, convincingly 4 goals to nil. However, their inspirational run did get cut short last weekend with a 2-0 loss to West Ham United.
Their current lineup features Marvin Zeegelaar in the left full back position with Jose Holebas as the second option. The duo has looked impressive whenever called upon however Nagatomo can come handy in the following season in top-flight English football.
