Barcelona may allow Paco Alcacer to leave the club this summer as they negotiate a long-term loan deal with Premier League outfit Watford.
The Spanish striker moved to the Camp Nou back in 2016 from La Liga rivals Valencia and has since made 37 league appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals. He has proved himself as a competent poacher but has so far failed to establish himself as a regular starter for Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Despite finishing World Cup qualification as Spain’s top scorer with five goals, Alcacer was also ultimately left out of Julen Lopetegui’s final squad for this year’s World Cup finals in Russia.
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According to Sport English, the 24-year-old forward may now be ready for a new chapter in his career, in England with mid-table side Watford. The Hornets are currently in talks with Barca over a two-year loan move for the Spaniard, which would be a huge coup for the club.
Having just sold Brazilian forward Richarlison to Everton for £40million – as per The Telegraph – Watford now have a pressing need to bring in some attacking reinforcements and Alcacer would certainly fit the bill.
Sport English also states that Watford has the option to buy him upon the completion of the loan in 2020 for a cut-price fee. However, Barcelona could also benefit from this deal in the long run, if the former Valencia man thrives in The Premier League with regular playing time and eventually returns to them as a more accomplished and experienced player.
The report adds, however, that Watford are looking at other players in that position so Alcacer is under some pressure to make a decision on a move to Vicarage Road pretty quickly.