Probably a tinpot source but https://www.the-newshub.com/football/tot-linked-with-move-to-watford-fc "Antonio Di Natale (A.K.A 'Totò') has been linked with a move away from Udinese at the end of the current Serie A campaign. The club currently frontrunners to inherit the veteran forward are newly promoted to the Premier League, Watford FC. Di Natale has also been linked with a move to the MLS; the Hornets are favourite to sign the striker due to Giampaolo Pozzo's bridge between the two parties involved, being the owner of both Udinese and Watford. At 37-years-old the potent frontman has proved he still has what it takes to perform at the top level, so far bagging 14 goals."
To have Di Natale at the club, even if he plays one minute for the team would be simply fantastic. i don't think there's many people that can still teach Troy a few things but he's one of them. Yes please from me.
Am waiting for the responses of "No not for me" "Too old for us" "Not the Pozzo model" "We ve moved on from this type of player" Personally Id pxss my pants if we signed him..even as a super sub
If MLS is on his mind then I don't see a problem of having him for half a season and then moving on to the US for the start of their season next year.
I think it's a possibility. Pozzo has gone on record saying he won't stand in Di Natalie's way if he wishes to leave Udine at the end of the season, so the door is open and the fans have been forewarned. His intention was to head to the MLS, but he may view the chance to play one season in the PL as something worth considering. Not sure we'd be entirely popular with the Udinese fans if he did come here, mind you, and whether at his age he'd be more than a bit part player but an interesting prospect none the less.
He's afraid of flying, according to his agent. My prediction is he'll have one more year at Udinese. I'd love him here though.
As much as I would love this to happen, I cant see it. This would be all over the Italian Press and there is not one word.
I think a month's loan might be a real possibility just so he could say been there done that and not get the Udi fans backs up ... any longer would be a pisstake IMO. Doesn't their season start a couple of weeks later than ours?
Udinese fans wouldn't be too annoyed I don't think. He's been their talisman for so long, if he wants to have a retirement year in the Premier League then who are they to object? Plus we're bringing a nine figure income to the Pozzo clubs, so they should wind their necks in, or whatever the Italian equivalent is.
Three years ago we were staring administration in the eye and they were qualifying for the Champions League. Billy Big Bollox? Who us?
Why would he pick us over any other English club? Honest question. It's not like he's got years left on an Udinese contract, and he's probably still good enough for a top 10 team. If he wanted to play for an English club, i'm sure a better side could offer bigger wages for a year. It won't happen.
If he was in it for the big wages, he'd have left Udinese years ago. If he's gonna play for anyone in England, it'll be us. Can't see it happening though, unfortunately.
Big advantage would be he knows how Mr Ponzis work. That being said as much as I'd love it, not a chance it seems.
Pure speculation but it seems to be a bit of a "Gerrard" situation. He's Udinese's talisman and playing elsewhere in Italy now would be unthinkable. He's reputed to have had a big money offer from MLS at the beginning of the year (something like $8million), and he certainly couldn't be blamed for wanting that one last big pay cheque. I doubt the Pozzo's could or would match that from their comments about not begrudging him leaving, but if he has ever harboured ambitions of playing in England (and that's a very big if) then Watford would be an easy and logical move leaving the door open for a painless Udine return once he's done should money not be the motivating factor. All that being said I would imagine it's the least likely outcome. There's an interview with Giampaolo from a couple of days ago where he says he believes Di Natalie will still be in Udine next season, so I'd not get your hopes up.
I doubt Di Natale would be able to play 90 mins week in week out. I'd imagine our Deeney, Ighalo, Di Natale and Vydra would all be rotated based on opposition and form (remember none of them are proven in the EPL so who knows who will do well and who won't). All this depends of course if these rumours have any fuel. Personally, I'd be surprised if Fernando plays much next season. I think everyone at the club loves him but not sure if he is consistent enough, unlike the other 3. Would love to be proven wrong though
Just imagining Derek Payne trying to get his tongue around this makes me giggle. "Upfront partnership of Deeney-Deeneytarly."
Nothing in this, lazy journalism obviously. I would also rather we signed 22 yo Vydra than a 37 yo, no matter how legendary they are.
