Watford FC: Gino Pozzo urged not to put 'enormous dent' in promotion bid amid Imran Louza, Ipswich Town links | OneFootball

Watford have been told to do all they can to keep Imran Louza as FLW confirmed Ipswich Town are tracking the midfielder in the January window.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Watford have been told to do all they can to keep Imran Louza until the end of the season as Ipswich Town track the midfielder.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant individual campaign for the Hornets as their leading man from the middle of the park with his goals and assists, whilst he has also shone with his all-round game in the middle of the park.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that his form has attracted attention, and FLW exclusively revealed that Ipswich are weighing up a move for Louza before the end of the window.

Imran Louza departure could potentially derail Watford’s promotion bid

With the Tractor Boys in fine form, and chasing automatic promotion, the chance to move to Portman Road may appeal, as many observers expect Kieran McKenna’s team to be playing in the Premier League next season.

Yet, Javi Gracia’s men have their own promotion hopes, and a play-off finish is a genuine possibility for the Hornets. So, selling Louza would be a massive risk by owner Gino Pozzo, even if Ipswich made a tempting offer for the ex-Nantes man.

And, when asked by FLW about the prospect of Louza leaving, Watford fan pundit Justin Beattie made it clear that selling their key man would have a big impact on their promotion hopes, although he acknowledged a departure could be on the cards given the talent of the player.

“Selling Louza now certainly isn’t going to help Watford’s promotion chances at all," Justin told FLW.

"He has been consistently a very, very good player for the past season-and-a-half, and he has been wonderful to watch play this season.

“If he was to go to Ipswich, it would put an enormous dent in our promotion chances, but I think we are resigned to losing him - either now or in the summer transfer window.

"So, it remains to be seen. I don’t want to lose him, I don’t think any Watford fan does, and I’d like to keep him until the end of the season, as that would give us our best chance for the most successful season possible.”

Watford must do all they can to keep Imran Louza for the rest of the season

Anyone who has seen Watford play this season will recognise just how good Louza has been. He is key to the way the side plays, he is superb on the ball, can control the tempo, and he also contributes with goals and assists.

As well as that, as captain, he is clearly a leader in the dressing room, and he will be a respected figure by his teammates and the boss.

So, we shouldn’t understate just how big a loss he would be in the January transfer window, and with Watford firmly in the race to finish in the play-offs, a sale shouldn’t be under consideration this month.

Of course, money talks, but it’s hard to imagine Ipswich offering the sort of ridiculous fee that could tempt Watford to sell at this stage of the campaign.

Realistically, most Watford fans will agree that Louza is capable of playing at a higher level, so if they don’t reach the Premier League, then keeping him at Vicarage Road next season does seem like a long shot.

However, a lot can happen over the next few months, and the only concern for Louza and Watford right now will be trying to win promotion this season.