Watford set sights on Aston Villa’s Brazilian powerhouse and 24-year-old Moldovan talisman

Watford have identified two striker targets in the form of Aston Villa man Wesley and Beitar Jerusalem star Ion Nicolaescu, as per the Daily Mail.

Watford have made four new signings so far this summer, bringing in Rhys Healey, Tom Ince, Jake Livermore and Giorgi Chakvetadze. More additions are needed though as Valerien Ismael prepares his squad for the new Championship season.

Aston Villa star Wesley opens up on becoming a father aged 14 - Mirror Online

At striker, the Hornets currently have new signing Healey, returning loanee Vakoun Bayo, Ashley Fletcher and 19-year-old Jorge Cabezas. We could see movement on that front soon though, with two new strikers linked with the club.

The Daily Mail claims that Watford have spoken to forgotten Aston Villa man Wesley and Moldovan hotshot Nicolaescu.

Wesley, 26, is back on these shores after a difficult stint in Spain with Levante and his deal is up next summer and could head to Vicarage Road on loan. Meanwhile, 24-year-old Nicolaescu comes into this summer off the back of 19 goals and 10 assists in 46 games for Israeli side Beitar Jerusalem.

Two new strikers?

Ion Nicolaescu does EXCELLENT job in Beitar Jerusalem... - YouTube

If Wesley and Nicolaescu were both to join, you would think one or two strikers would leave Watford. Time will tell just who they are though and whether or not these rumours will develop into anything more serious.

Brazilian striker Wesley has had some tough times since leaving Club Brugge. He’s played for a number of clubs after struggling for game time with Villa but his powerful presence at the top of the pitch could make him a nuisance as he looks to get his career back on the right track.

Nicolaescu looks like a player on the up and one who could made a step to a bigger league though. He’s been prolific with Beitar Jerusalem and in the Moldovan national side, netting 12 in 34 for his country. He too is out of contract next summer and while he’s not got experience in a top league, he could be a player worth taking a gamble on after such a productive 2022/23 season.

Sierralta: “It Was A Good Test”

Francisco Sierralta was buoyed by a number of positive signs during Watford’s narrow pre-season defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday (July 22), as the Hornets took another step towards completing their preparations for the fresh Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Edo Kayembe’s neat edge-of-the-box finish ultimately wasn’t enough to extend the team’s unbeaten run in pre-season – with Odsonne Édouard striking twice for the Eagles – but an effective high press and strong intensity were among the factors that stood out for the Chile international.

“It was a good test against a good team,” Sierralta said. “It was intense, and I thought we played really well, particularly in the first half. We pressed and kept the ball, and I think it will stand us in good stead ahead of the first game against QPR.

“We’ve come up against good teams in Arsenal and Crystal Palace and we’ve done well. We know that we just need to keep going, continue to press like we did today and show what we can do.”

As he has done throughout the Golden Boys’ friendly outings this summer, Sierralta was largely utilised just in front of the defence in the hour he was on the pitch in South London, and he explained he is enjoying the slightly more advanced role.

And with just under two weeks to go until Queens Park Rangers visit Vicarage Road for the start of the 2023/24 campaign (Saturday August 5, 3pm KO), the 26-year-old – who missed a large part of last season through injury – is itching to get going.

Sierralta added: “I really like playing a bit further forward. When I was young I often played there, as a number six, so it’s not completely new. Sometimes we play with three at the back, and sometimes I’m just in front, and I’ve liked it so far.

“I think the team is nearly ready [for the start of the season]. We need to carry on doing what we’ve been doing, but I’m definitely very excited to be back out there and to get the new season started again.”