Watford eyeing a swoop for Serie A defender: What will he add to the team?

According to reports from SportItalia, Premier League outfit Watford are in advanced talks regarding Adam Masina. The Bologna defender has been linked with the Hornets for quite some time now and a move to England is apparently imminent, as it seems.

Born in Khouribga, Morocco, the 24-year-old spent most of life in Italy and has represented the Azzurri at the under-21 level. Masina started his footballing career at Bologna youth academy and apart from a brief loan spell at Giacomense, he has played for Bologna his entire career so far.

However, that being said, it might be time for Masina to finally leave I Veltri, following a six-year spell, during which he has made over 130 professional appearances in all competitions.

For the past three seasons, in particular, Adam Masina has been an ever-present figure in Bologna’s defensive line, helping them survive in the Italian top flight, despite boasting a relatively inferior squad.

Watford, on the other hand, are apparently desperate to strengthen their squad, after finishing on the wrong end of the table.

The Hornets also conceded 64 goals this season, a tally only bettered by the underperforming West Ham and the relegated Stoke City, pointing towards their highly-fragile which needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Therefore, solidifying the defensive department is almost imperative for head coach Javi Gracia.

Jose Holebas has been an ever-present figure in the left back position but that being said, at the age of 33, the Greek international is already at the final stage of his career and doesn’t have many years ahead of him. In addition, former Sporting CP defender Marvin Zeegelaar isn’t a reliable option either, making the job much easier for Adam Masina to break into the starting lineup.

Blessed with incredible technical qualities, Masina’s ability to get forward and link-up with fellow teammates makes him a tailor-made fit for the Hornets.

Considering Watford’s firepower in the attacking department, Masina’s presence in the wider positions will also allow the attackers to have more freedom in central areas, ultimately making them far more superior in the attacking department.

In addition, Masina is a great operator in the defensive phases as well, often using his intelligence and physicality to break the shackles of the opposing winger. Therefore, he can definitely prove to be a solid acquisition for the Premier League side.

Masina’s current contract with the Italian outfit expires at the end of the next season, meaning Watford can also get him on a cheap as they aim to strengthen their defence this summer. It is understood that a €10m deal is already in place for the Italian full-back.