Watford have drawn a clear line in negotiations over Imran Louza, setting a valuation of around €10m as the 2026-27 season approaches. The club has confirmed this figure to interested parties, making clear that any serious offer needs to sit close to that mark before talks can move forward. It marks a shift from the position Watford held between April and June 2026, when the club reportedly wanted £15m, or roughly €17.5m, and treated that number as non-negotiable.
The new asking price still looks reasonable against outside estimates. Transfermarkt currently values Louza at about €14m, well above what Watford are asking, which supports the idea that the club is being firm without being unrealistic. Other analytics services have offered lower figures, including one estimate near €7.7m, showing how much these valuations can vary depending on the model used. Watford’s stance appears to lean on the higher end of that range while still leaving room for a deal to get done.
History plays a part in the thinking too. Louza joined from Nantes in 2021 for a fee close to €10m, so the current asking price effectively matches what Watford paid for him. With his contract running until 2028, the club holds strong leverage and has no pressure to sell below its valuation.
Interest in the 24-year-old has only grown. Several Premier League sides, including Crystal Palace, Brighton, Everton, Fulham and Brentford, have been credited with tracking him. In France, Paris FC have reportedly made him a priority target, while Nice have also been watching his situation. Ajax have shown interest from the Netherlands, and Italian club Como have emerged as another suitor, adding further competition to a crowded market. Beyond Europe, Saudi clubs such as Al Ittihad and Al Qadsiah have previously indicated a willingness to pay well above Watford’s asking price.
With that level of demand across multiple leagues, Watford appear content to let the market work in their favor. The club’s approach suggests patience rather than urgency, aiming for a fee that at least matches, if not improves on, the original investment made in 2021.
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