'We are a selling club' - Nestory Irankunda situation at Watford ignites reaction | OneFootball

Watford's fan pundit shares their thoughts on the potential sale of Nestory Irankunda this summer

Watford will be playing Championship football once again next season, though a huge degree of uncertainty surrounds Vicarage Road regarding the situation of players and staff.

Losing six out of their last seven league games, Watford ended the campaign in truly abysmal form, which ultimately cost Edward Still his post in the Vicarage Road technical area.

Still was the club's third permanent manager of the season, with Paulo Pezzolano and Javi Gracia preceding the English boss, who has since returned to management in Belgium.

The Hornets remain on the lookout for a new boss, with former Empoli boss Alessio Dionisi expected to be the next person in the hot seat ahead of a busy summer window.

The likes of Imran Louza, Othmane Maamma, and Nestory Irankunda are bound to attract interest over the coming months, with the latter especially putting his name in the shop window due to his performances on the international stage.

Nestory Irankunda could leave Watford this summer after shining at the World Cup for Australia

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Irankunda, 20, has had an interesting career already despite his age, having shot to prominence in his native Australia with Adelaide United, before earning a move to European giants Bayern Munich in 2024.

He'd spend the 2024/25 season on loan with Grasshopper in Switzerland before securing a permanent move to Watford last summer for around €4 million (£3.45 million), with Bayern retaining a 50% sell-on clause as part of the deal.

The Tanzanian-born Aussie scored four and assisted five in 40 Championship games in his first year with the club, with each goal etched with a huge amount of technical brilliance.

The winger scored the opener for Australia in the Socceroos' 2-0 victory over Turkiye on Sunday, propelling his name into the spotlight on the global stage, and almost certainly attracting interest from elsewhere ahead of the summer window.

Football League World's Watford fan pundit, Justin Beattie, has shared their thoughts on whether Irankunda will stay at Watford next season, or whether his performances on the global stage will attract offers for him this summer and tempt the Hornets to move him on.

Justin said: "Nestory Irankunda has had some memorable moments already during his first season at Watford. There were a couple of amazing free kicks. There's been some nice-looking play from him.

"I think Watford fans are genuinely excited to see what he's going to do at the World Cup, and to score a goal like he did against Turkey has definitely created a bit of a buzz amongst the supporters.

"I'd like to think that we can hang on to him next season, particularly if he has a good World Cup, but we are a selling club, and we have to accept that if a large enough offer comes in for him, we will probably take the offer.

"I think it's good that the rest of the world can see what a talent he is, and hopefully he can keep it up throughout the campaign."

Watford must make a key decision on Nestory Irankunda this summer following his World Cup excellence

Irankunda signed a five-year deal when he joined Watford in the summer, meaning that his future well and truly lies at Vicarage Road unless a substantial offer arrives for him.

With Bayern retaining a hefty sell-on clause, the Hornets would need to see a bid worth around £8 million come their way for the attacker to break even, something they almost certainly won't be willing to do at this stage.

A strong World Cup only heightens his value and puts confidence into his veins, as those at Watford will hope he can continue to perform on the international stage for his country.

It would take a big offer for Irankunda to be prised away this summer, though should he continue his World Cup campaign the way he has started, a big offer coming Watford's way is certainly not out of the realms of possibility.