West Ham warned of 'unlikely' Watford transfer | OneFootball

Nestory Irankunda's performance for Australia against Türkiye has been followed up with transfer talk

Watford are entering yet another new era on the managerial front in 2026/27, as Alessio Dionisi was appointed as the latest head coach at Vicarage Road earlier in the week.'

The Hornets have been well-known to chop and change those in the dugout over the course of any season under the controversial ownership of the Pozzo family, and whilst the Italian has been handed a two-year contract in Hertfordshire, there will be scepticism over whether he will last one year on such terms.

Watford are yet to really threaten the Championship's promotion chasers ever since their most recent relegation from the Premier League in May 2022, but have still managed to retain, and acquire the services of some extremely promising and highly-creative individuals.

Despite the fact their latest campaign under the trio of Paulo Pezzolano, Javi Gracia and, most recently, Ed Still, ended with a 16th-placed finish on 57 points, it was still the most productive season of Imran Louza's spell with the club, and the Moroccan international, as exclusively revealed by Football League World, has attracted interest from the likes of Everton and Fulham.

However, another man who is one of several EFL representatives at the World Cup, Australian winger Nestory Irankunda, has also begun to attract interest off the back of his stellar contribution to the Socceroos' 2-0 win over Türkiye in Vancouver on Sunday morning.

That said, FLW's Watford fan pundit, Justin Beattie, doesn't appear to be overly worried by fresh transfer links to upcoming divisional rivals, West Ham United.

Action Images

According to former Manchester United chief, Mick Brown - via Football Insider - the newly-relegated Irons are expected to be one of several summer suitors plotting a move for Watford's 20-year-old ace, who was signed from Bayern Munich last summer for approximately £3.45m on a five-year contract, although the Bavarian giants do have a 50% sell-on clause.

West Ham's likelihood of making a move also hinges on whether Dutch international, Crysencio Summerville, will leave the London Stadium, as the 25-year-old has reportedly been valued at £50m by his current employers amid interest from Manchester United, having also found the net for his country on Sunday night in the 2-2 draw against Japan in Dallas.

As well as his own fine finish for Australia, Irankunda posted nine goal contributions for Watford last term, and Beattie believes that he could remain at Vicarage Road for another season.

"I think it's fair to say Nestory Irankunda has caught the eye after his amazing performance in Australia's World Cup opener," he told FLW.

"Having watched him for an entire season at Watford, it wouldn't be fair to say he plays like that in every single match. But, he does have moments of brilliance.

"I think the idea of him going to another Championship club is unlikely," Beattie claimed. "I think he will stay another season with us.

"However, if he continues to impress under the graceful watch of the world for Australia, there's a good chance he may move on for a high fee.

"But, personally, I don't think it will be to West Ham."

Watford will be financially encouraged if Nestory Irankunda maintains World Cup performance levels

Action Images

There are certainly similarities between how Irankunda currently performs for Watford and how Summerville broke through at Leeds United in the Championship, before eventually earning his big-money switch to E20.

Even if the Aussie's performances in upcoming clashes with the United States and Paraguay perhaps don't reach the same levels as could be expected from such a raw, yet young talent, Watford still hold plenty of bargaining power over his signature, with his contract not up until June 2030 as things stand.

However, if they are maintained, his price is likely to be driven up more, which could be a blow to West Ham if clubs from higher up the food chain were to be interested in Irankunda, especially with it being claimed that Nuno Espírito Santo's side must generate over £100m to help balance their financial books before even considering a number of potential incomings.