Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford | OneFootball

Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford | OneFootball

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Football League World

·2 June 2024

Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford

Article image:Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford

One player who Watford may find themselves forced to replace in the summer transfer window, is Yaser Asprilla.

In what was a larely disappointing campaign for the Hornets, the attacking midfielder was something of a shining light for the club.


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The 20-year-old scored six goals and provided eight assists in 47 appearances in all competitions across the course of the campaign.

As a result, he is starting to attract some considerable attention from elsewhere, with Serie A champions Inter Milan among those credited with an interest in the Colombian.

Watford of course, will no doubt want to keep Asprilla, but may find it hard to do so amid that level of interest, and if he is to leave, he will surely have to be replaced at Vicarage Road.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look at three players Watford could target to potentially replace Asprilla if he does leave, right here.

Kwame Poku

Article image:Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford

If Asprilla is to move this summer, then Kwame Poku's situation at Peterborough could be one option for Watford to look to take advantage of in an attempt to replace the Colombian.

The 22-year-old is more than capable of playing in a variety of attacking midfield roles, just like Asprilla himself. As a result, he could do the same sort of job for the Hornets, and at his age, would offer the same sort of long-term prospects for Watford as Asprilla does.

Poku showed this season he can get both goals and assists to make him an all-round attacking threat, which is also going to appeal to clubs such as Watford, since he could make the step-up to the Championship. Indeed, with Peterborough having missed out on promotion from League One this season, and Poku now entering the final year of his contract at London Road, he could also be an affordable target for second-tier sides such as Watford.

Karamoko Dembele

Article image:Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford

Another player to have impressed in League One this season that could be worth considering for Watford as a potential replacement for Asprilla, is Karamoko Dembele.

The 21-year-old spent the campaign on loan with Blackpool from French top-flight side Stade Brest, and scored nine goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions for the Seasiders. That return, and ability to play in a range of attacking midfield roles, suggests that he fits the mould to replace Asprilla, as does his age.

With fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday having recently been linked with a loan move for Dembele, this could also make this deal something of a coup for Watford to beat one of their rivals to such a signing, if they can pull it off.

Koji Miyoshi

Article image:Karamoko Dembele signs: Identifying 3 ideal Yaser Asprilla replacements for Watford

In the wake of Birmingham City's relegation from the Championship this season, Watford may be able to take advantage of that situation if they need to replace Asprilla, with a move for Koji Miyoshi.

The Japan international enjoyed an impressive debut campaign for the Blues this season, scoring six goals and six assists in 43 Championship games for a struggling side. That does show his ability to make an impact at this level, and he may thrive even more in a team aiming further up the table.

Miyoshi is another who can fill the void left by Asprilla in terms of his position, and in the wake of Birmingham's relegation, and with just a year remaining on his contract at St Andrew's, he could be an affordable target for a team such as Watford as well.

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