Transfer boost for Sheffield United's rivals as they sell star man to sister club for £16m - and keep him

The Hornets, who have already sold Emmanuel Dennis to Nottingham Forest and look set to lose Joao Pedro to Newcastle United, saw Ismaila Sarr’s prospective move to Aston Villa fall through earlier this week.

But with Watford dealing with the vast drop in income after relegation, the blow has been softened somewhat by the £16m sale of Hassane Kamara to Udinese – who are owned by Giampaolo Pozzo, the father of Watford owner Gino.

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The move will help Watford’s cashflow situation following relegation, as well as see them keep hold of a player who impressed last season despite the Hornets dropping back into the Championship.

It may also enable them to keep hold of Sarr, who lined up against United on the opening day of the season alongside Dennis and Pedro but was widely expected to move before the transfer deadline next week.

Reports in Buckinghamshire suggest the nature of Watford’s relationship with Udinese enabled them to negotiate the loan-back, and also receive the cash for Kamara up front – rather than in staged payments, as is the norm in football transfers.

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The two clubs have now done two deals this summer alone, and well over 50 since 2010.

Watford chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury said: “This further protects the club at a time when balancing financial wellbeing and retaining a squad to compete at the top end of the Championship are our top priorities.”

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