Watford striker Juan Camillo ‘Cucho’ Hernandez is set to sign for newly-promoted La Liga side Real Mallorca, according to reports in Spain. The 20-year-old was not included in the Hornets’ 25-man Premier League squad and the Colombian was facing a season of reserve team football unless he found a new team before the September 2 transfer deadline for European clubs.
And with Hernandez keen to help Colombia qualify for the Olympic Games later this year it was imperative that he sorted out a move to a club playing at the top level.
Mallorca rejoined the Spanish top-flight after an absence of six years via the end-of-season play-offs.
They appear to have beaten off competition from Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid for Hernandez’s signature with the player likely to join on a season-long loan.
Watford loaned him out to Huesca for the past two seasons and he impressed during his spell in Spain.
Aged just 18, Hernandez arrived at the small club in Aragon and helped transform their fortunes as his 16 goals took them into the Primera Division for the first time in their history.
He was only able to manage four in the Primera last term from 34 appearances, of which 25 were starts, but his displays convinced enough observers to agree he has a bright future.
Watford clearly have a gem on their hands but – like many of their obscure foreign signings – know they will have to be patient with him before he is ready to help Javi Gracia’s senior squad.
They did the same with Adalberto Penaranda, who finally qualified for a work permit last season and went on to make a handful of first-team appearances under Gracia.
The 22-year-old was given the squad number 17 for the current campaign and, having gained experience during loan spells with Udinese and Malaga, has shown Hernandez the pathway to the senior squad.
However, France Football this week claimed Ligue 1 outfit Nice were in talks with Watford over a €20million deal for the Ecuadorian.
#VenEx | El OGC Nice está en negociaciones con el Watford para contratar a Adalberto Peñaranda, según el portal France Football.
El delantero venezolano, de 22 años, ha sido cotizado por el club inglés del Watford en 20 millones de euros. pic.twitter.com/zDFLVualn7
— DEPORTIVA 1300AM (@deportiva) August 16, 2019
