Watford wonderkid Othmane Maamma is attracting a lot of interest as Chelsea and Bournemouth now enter the fray, according to French outlet L’Equipe.
Watford appear to have found a real talent in Moroccan international Othmane Maamma, who joined from Montpellier for a fee of around £1 million last summer. The 20-year-old winger has scored three goals and one assist in twelve championships so far.
The Hornets enjoy a strong following Javi Gracia’s return as head coach in October. Of Maamma played a key role in that successWatford will want to keep him in January.
However, interest in the Moroccan is increasing after reports emerged that Sunderland and Newcastle United are monitoring him. A new report from French outlet L’Equipe suggests Chelsea and Bournemouth are also keeping an eye on Maamma.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Brighton are also said to have looked at the Moroccan. His performances for the Hornets and his impressive U20 World Cup campaign have certainly caught the attention of some of England’s elite.
Chelsea and Bournemouth may have long been interested due to French connections
Maamma made a name for himself in France last season and broke through with Montpellier in Ligue 1. Watford then swooped in to secure the youngster.
Othmane Maamma’s Montpellier stats
However, he will not have gone unnoticed in France, which is why it is no surprise that Chelsea and Bournemouth have been linked with the Moroccan.
Chelsea’s ties in France are well known with the highly controversial BlueCo group which controls both Strasbourg and London. These links have seen several players move between the two clubs, and now Strasbourg and former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior are set to make the move.
However, Bournemouth also has a similar setup to that of Chelsea and Strasbourg. The Cherries are also part of a multi-club ownership group that includes Ligue 1 side Lorient.
Having club links in France will improve their scouting network there. However, it could also provide Maamma with an easy loan move if he moves to the Premier League.
Interest from the Premier League for fellow Moroccans
It could be a busy January period for Watford, both in and out. The Hornets are never quiet in the market and this winter looks no different.
Gracia’s side have been linked with a shock move by Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca in recent days. The big story, however, was the Premier League’s interest in Watford talisman Imran Louza.
Interest in Louza has been credited to several top clubs. He and fellow Moroccan Maamma are likely to test Watford’s resolve in January.
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