Watford emerge in £1m Chelsea transfer chase as Huddersfield Town blow looms | OneFootball

Watford are eyeing a permanent deal for one of Chelsea's out on loan midfielders, but there is other interest in the youngster.

Like many others, Watford are chasing promotion in 2025/26, but they are also in search of signings to bolster their ranks ahead of the second half of the campaign. Javi Gracia's side are now eyeing a deal with Chelsea, too.

Currently sat sixth, Watford have won the last four league games, scoring four and conceding just once in the process. They have a forward line which includes a 33-year-old Tom Ince, as well as exciting talent like Giorgi Chakvetadze and Luca Kjerrumgaard.

Nestoroy Irankunda, Rocco Vata, and Othmane Maamma have all contributed to four or more goals this season and are each under the age of 21. It's an exciting time for the club in that sense, with more to perhaps come in with plenty of potential and resale value.

The squad has been built on youth, with only three players over the age of 28, and only a further five over the age of 26. The core of Gracia's outfit are pre-peak and have the propensity to improve together further.

Watford eye Leo Castledine transfer with Chelsea

The Sun are now reporting Watford are keen on Chelsea's on loan Huddersfield Town midfielder Leo Castledine. They are one of a "number of Championship clubs" interested in the 21-year-old.

He is a product of the Chelsea Academy, having initially joined the club as a six-year-old. Castledine had seven years in the junior ranks of AFC Wimbledon before rejoining Chelsea back in 2020.

Huddersfield is the second loan of his career, having spent a portion of the 2024/25 season with Shrewsbury Town in League One. However, his excellent form has alerted other clubs to his situation at Chelsea.

Castledine has just 18 months left on his deal at Stamford Bridge, and he has since notched 12 goals and three assists in 27 games in all competitions for the Terriers. 12 of his goal involvements have come in the league, with nine in his last 11 matches overall.

Per The Sun and other reports, Chelsea have the right to recall Castledine. They state that the Blues are keen to arrange a permanent transfer before the end of the winter window, with an asking price of around £1 million now set.

FLW understands six clubs have expressed an interest to Chelsea about a deal for Castledine, and Watford appear to be one of those with the strongest interest.

Whether he is capable of making the step-up to the Championship immediately remains to be seen, but he could be a long-term asset for Watford, even if he fails to hit the ground running.

Given the quality of their forward line currently, there will be less pressure on someone like Castledine to immediately arrive and hit the ground running. That said, his form and confidence must be sky-high due to his exploits in League One in the last two months.

It's no coincidence that Huddersfield have got themselves into the play-offs in the last three matchdays, having not been inside the top six since the 11th matchday of the season; that coincided with Castledine's scintillating form.