Recently, it was revealed that Watford were interested in signing Matej Vydra for a third time. The Watford Observer suggests the Hornets are asking Burnley about a loan move. Burnley, however, would rather see Vydra sold. Regardless of the deal which sees the Czech Republic international depart, the Clarets will not allow him to leave until they have a replacement.
Matej Vydra and Andre Gray: Possible Returns to Their Former Clubs
Matej Vydra Reputation At Vicarage Road
Vydra and the Hornets have a strong history together. Between his time with the club during the 2012/13 and 2014/15 campaigns, he scored 38 times and assisted 15 goals. In his first spell with Watford, the club lost in the Championship playoff final. In his second stint at the club, the Hornets earned promotion to the Premier League.
After first being loaned to Reading, and then sold to Derby County, Vydra found himself at Turf Moor. The versatile forward’s time with Burnley has not been as successful as the player and club desired. For Dyche’s squad, Vydra has 11 goal contributions in 54 appearances. Vydra is currently their fourth-choice striker.
With the European Championship a few months away, Vydra knows he needs to play more consistently to make the Czech Republic squad. A move to a club where he is already a fan-favourite is bound to intrigue Vydra. Vydra’s smart movement has been missing for the Hornets on many occasions this season.
Andre Gray Underperforming
Despite having one of the highest expected-goal statistics in the Championship, Andre Gray has only found the back of the net once this season. He finds himself behind Troy Deeney and Joao Pedro in the pecking order. With Stipe Perica soon coming back from injury, if Gray does not return to form quickly, he will be subdued to the most limited of minutes.
In contrast to Burnley, if the Hornets were to sign a striker, they would need one to depart to balance the wage budget and be able to have a healthy rotation.
Sean Dyche’s Fondness of Andre Gray
Last year, Gray was linked with a return to Turf Moor. Now, he could be seen as the perfect collateral in a deal seeing Vydra move to Watford.
A few months after Gray was sold to Watford for £18.5 million in the summer of 2018, Dyche admitted, “I still send Andre the odd text. I wish him well. He’s a terrific lad, he was absolutely top class for us.”
Dyche’s thoughts towards Gray are not suspected to have changed in the past couple of seasons – even with Gray’s poor goal-scoring record.
A swap-deal involving Vydra and Gray is unlikely. However, the pieces are in place for it to happen. It is not as far-fetched of a possibility as some might think it is.
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