Watford & Burnley Want Besiktas Midfielder Salih Ucan

Watford and Burnley are interested in signing Besiktas midfielder Salih Ucan, sources told Turkish-Football.

The Hornets manager, Valérien Ismaël, worked with Ucan during his time managing Besiktas and is a big fan of the player.

Watford are hoping to use their parachute money to invest in transfers after being relegated from the Premier League to the Championship.

They are hoping to strengthen the squad to help achieve promotion back to the Premier League and Ucan would offer experience and add quality to the midfield.

Burnley meanwhile, are in the transfer market for a midfielder and have identified Ucan as a target.

The 29-year-old is currently under contract with Besiktas until 2024, but he is reportedly keen on a move to England.

The Black Eagles could be tempted to listen to offers for Ucan as he is entering the last 12 months of his deal and has yet to sign an extension.

There have been talks through intermediaries but negotiations are at an early stage.

Ucan is a versatile midfielder who can play in a number of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and right wing.

He is also a good passer and dribbler, and he has a good shot on goal.

The midfielder has played major Turkish and Italian clubs including Fenerbahce and AS Roma. He has also played in Switzerland for FC Sion and has two international caps for Turkey.

READ MORE: Journalist claims Watford leading Leeds in £2m race for Championship goalscoring expert

Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath has claimed on Twitter that it is Watford leading the race to sign FC Midtjylland striker Sory Kaba – amid reports that Leeds United, West Brom, Cardiff City, Las Palmas and other clubs are keen.

Kaba, 28, caught the eye last season when he joined Cardiff on loan from Midtjylland in January. Playing 17 times for the Welsh side, his eight goals played a crucial role in keeping the Bluebirds in the Championship – finishing in 21st.

Spanish site UD Las Palmas.Net first broke the news of the clubs that want Kaba. Leeds, Watford, Cardiff and three other Championship clubs – as well as Las Palmas. The Express & Star say Carlos Corberan’s West Brom want him.

Now, it appears that it is Watford leading the charge to bring in Kaba. Watford have money to spend after selling both Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr for a combined fee north of £40m. They have signed Rhys Healey from Toulouse.

But Valerian Ismael clearly wants more fire power and Kaba, for a bargain £2m, has been targeted. McGrath says Watford are pushing hardest to bring in the forward – after Watford got off to a wonderful start, beating QPR 4-0.

Watford leading Leeds in race to sign Midtjylland striker Sory Kaba

Kaba is clearly a striker that can do it in the Championship. A player that is available on the cheap due to his contractual situation at Midtjylland – and that is why second-tier sides want to sign him. That, and his Cardiff form.

The chances of Cardiff getting him back seems unlikely, given they were close to the bottom last season. He will fancy himself at a club that are pushing for promotion. Watford have money to spend, and a good boss in place.

With Sarr and Pedro leaving, there are vacancies to start up front and Kaba can fill those. But Leeds need a striker too. However, at Elland Road, the chances are that when everyone is fit – Kaba is warming a place on the bench.