Dean Jones has been speaking on the latest edition of Touchline Talk to discuss all things transfer related ahead of this summer’s transfer market.
One name which Jones and the host, Pete O’Rourke, discussed was Inter’s Ashley Young with reports speculating a potential return to Vicarage Road for the former Watford man.
Young developed through the Watford academy before leaving the Hornets to join Aston Villa in the January transfer window in 2007 for a deal believed to be worth in the region of just under £12m.
The £91k-per-week man is currently playing his football with Serie A leaders Inter, but the Englishman’s contract with the Italian outfit is set to expire at the end of this season.
Discussing the rumours, Jones had his say on a potential homecoming for Young this summer with Watford close to securing Premier League football for next season.
He said: “I don’t think people would have expected him to do as well at Inter Milan as he has done. He’s been really good. He hasn’t played all the time. But when he has played, he’s done well.
“And I think that if he decides to come back to England, I think that this is what he fancies. Obviously, Ashley Young will probably be a bit more expensive than most players currently on terms at Watford, but it’s something that I think they’ll be able to look into. And I don’t think Ashley Young is going to be holding them to ransom because this is a move that he wants for reasons beyond money.
“His whole family basically came up through Watford and I think he’d just love to pay them back by coming back.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…
Watford are on the right tracks to securing their spot in the Premier League for next season. They currently sit in second spot and are seven points clear of third-placed Swansea with just five games to go.
If they can secure automatic promotion, then this potential homecoming for Young suddenly may become a whole lot more likely given the financial boost the Hornets would receive from playing in the top flight.
Jones states Young has exceeded expectations during his time at Inter, however, it is the experience the 35-year-old will be able to provide which could prove just as attractive to the club as his footballing abilities.
In other news: “He’d be a great addition” – Exclusive: Hendrie wants AVFC to sign 23 y/o valued at £40m in 2020