Reporter Sam Elliott for the Mirror has taken to Twitter to claim Derby County target Joe Pigott is likely to become Watford’s first signing after winning promotion.
The Hornets have bounced back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Watford may have a questionable method in terms of hiring managers, but their recruitment of players has been excellent, and they’ve proven too good for the Championship.
The Hornets will now look to establish themselves in the top-flight once more.
And Sam Elliott claims their first signing of the summer is likely to be AFC Wimbledon’s Joe Pigott who is out of contract with the League One club in the coming months.
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Pigott has attracted plenty of attention after another superb campaign.
TEAMtalk say Derby, Bristol City, Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City are keen.
South London Press, meanwhile, claimed Wycombe Wanderers pushed hardest for his signature in January while Charlton Athletic were also in the frame for him.
Pigott has scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Dons this season. He may not be Premier League ready, but Watford may view him as a worthwhile investment by potentially loaning him out to a Championship club next season and watching his value rise.
Derby, meanwhile, are desperate for a striker of Pigott’s ilk.
The Rams are the lowest scorers in the Championship this season, with Colin Kazim-Richards leading the scoring charts with just eight league goals for the campaign.
Wayne Rooney’s first task is to ensure survival. But after that, a squad rebuild must take place and a new striker or two will be high on the agenda after a dismal past nine months.
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