Report: Why Samuel Kalu’s Watford move has stalled

The Nigerian international has already completed his winter switch to the English side, but the deal is yet to be made official

Samuel Kalu’s move to Watford has been completed, and the Super Eagles playmaker has put pen to paper on a deal with the Premier League.

The 24-year-old Nigerian ended his three-and-a-half-year association with French side Bordeaux and will team up with three of his compatriots at Vicarage Road.

He is set to share the Hornets’ dressing room with fellow Super Eagles stars William Troost-Ekong, Emmanuel Dennis, and Oghenekaro.

Watford only sacked manager Claudio Ranieri a few hours ago after a poor run of form that saw the Golden Boys slip into 19th place on the league table. But the dismissal of the Italian tactician did not jeopardize Kalu’s transfer to Watford, with Bordeaux set to receive up to €4m in transfer fees depending on how many appearances the attacker makes.

However, according to L’Equipe, the move has been delayed by a work permit issue, and Watford have made a waiver request to allow Kalu to play in the Premier League.

Kalu has 17 appearances and two goals for the Super Eagles, but since the start of 2020, the former KAA Gent star has only featured in three matches for the three-time African champions.

He was not included in the Nigerian squad to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.