Roberto Pereyra has been linked with a move to Watford all through the summer and if latest reports are to be believed the deal is finally close to being completed. A figure of around £13m is being quoted which will be pretty significant for the Vicarage Road outfit. Watford have been quietly active in the market thus far as they have gone about their business with minimum of fuss or media traction. Pereyra would be their 6th summer signing of the window as the club looks to build on their impressive last season in the Premier League. They have succeeded in retaining their much vaunted duo of Deeney and Ighalo and according to Walter Mazzarri, he has been given the green signal to sign three further players to bolster the defence, midfield and forward line respectively.
We run a SWOT analysis on the player as he nears his move to the Premier League.
STRENGTHS
Pereyra is predominantly an offensive midfielder who thrives on the wings and has often being compared to Italian-Argentine Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi. He is a hard-working lad with good hold-up play and his dribbling prowess have caught the eye. A special feature which stood out at Juventus was his crossing which led to him creating a healthy 43 chances for his team-mates. He also scored 4 goals in the 2014-15 season in which he made the joint most number of appearance for Juventus.
WEAKNESSES
The versatile player, even though having received plaudits most of his career, does have issues which have hampered him from blossoming further. The Argentine has been often found lacking in the air and regularly loses out on aerial duels. Though his work-rate has been lauded, his tackling is way off the mark and is something he has to work on in the Premier League. The 25-year old will look to increase his end product having scored only 4 goals during the 2014-15season, which was hailed as his best season.
OPPORTUNITY
Watford will be making a huge statement if they pull off this signing. For much of last year, the goal-scoring and creative duty had fallen on the shoulders of their front two. And one of Watford’s priority was signing someone to share the burden. The Juventus player will be capable of performing that role. He initially played mostly centrally, but has since evolved his game and is adept across the front-line. He is good in one-on-one situations and his direct runs from deeper positions will give Watford a different dimension. At 25-years of age, his best playing days are ahead of him.
THREAT
Watford have already splashed out in this transfer window and will have to continue the trend if they are to secure his signing. He will make for much of their remaining transfer kitty. The player has a questionable injury record which forced him to sit out most of last season. And his sudden dip in form and relevance will be something Watford will have to be wary about. With a big-money signing, one expects a consistent season from the player and if the frenetic nature of the Premier League might prove overwhelming for the player who is looking to get his career back on track.
