Watford are facing a very important summer transfer window as they start to ramp up their preparations for life back in the Premier League next season.

The Hornets have performed very well during the second half of the campaign this season with them having been arguable the strongest and most consistent team in the division over the last few months. Xisco Munoz has earned the right to be given the chance to take them into the Premier League and try and guide them to safety next term.

However, with Watford’s past history of hiring and firing managers, Munoz will know he needs to hit the ground running next season. That makes the transfer business he can do in the next few weeks massive. There are already rumours circulating regarding potential incomings and outgoings at Vicarage Road.

With that in mind, we take a look at look at four potential arrivals and four potential departures we could see emerge at Watford in the coming weeks…

One potential arrival that we could be set to see at Vicarage Road over the coming weeks is Reading’s in-demand forward Yakou Meite.

The Hornets are reportedly amongst the sides that are interested in securing a potential deal to bring Meite in from Reading this summer, with both Brighton and Crystal Palace also thought to be interested in taking him. It has been reported that although he has two years left on his current deal at Reading they could cash in on him to help boost their finances.

Meite is a very solid Championship forward and he has proven he can be a threat in the final third in the English second tier when he is at his best. However, whether he could do it in the Premier League remains to be seen. As does whether the Hornets would be prepared to get involved in a potential bidding war for him amid interest from elsewhere.

A potential transfer departure that we could be set to see from Watford over the coming weeks is defender Ben Wilmot. He could be heading for a move away from Vicarage Road according to the latest reports.

It has been reported by The Athletic that Wilmot could be allowed to leave Watford in the summer, with the defender having yet to commit his long-term future to the club. It is believed that Swansea City, who had him on loan during the 2019/20 season, would be interested in making another loan move for the talented defender.

Wilmot would be unlikely to be the first choice for Watford in the Premier League next term, so if he is not going to commit his long-term future to the club then it might be best to allow him to leave the club again. Swansea seems like the ideal place for him to move with him already familiar with Steve Cooper’s setup at the Welsh club. This is one that could well happen.

Another potential incoming that Watford could potentially try and make happen in the next few weeks is forward Mbaye Diagne, who is currently still on loan with West Brom in the Premier League.

It has been reported by Sky Sports that Diagne has been added to the list of targets that Watford could pursue this summer, with the forward set to face an uncertain future when he returns to his parent club Galatasaray. It is also being reported that both Brighton and Crystal Palace are also potentially keen on securing a deal for the 29-year-old.

Watford feel they need to add some extra firepower to their squad ahead of the summer window, and that seems to be the right plan. Diagne would have had time to settle into the Premier League now after his time at West Brom where he has hit three league goals in 15 games. It could be a good fit for them if they can get this one over the line.

Another potential outgoing at Watford that we could see during the summer window is experienced goalkeeper Ben Foster, with the Hornets facing a crucial decision over their keeper.

It has been reported that Manchester City could be interested in taking Foster to the Etihad to provide an experienced backup option and also enhance their quota of homegrown English players. While Watford themselves have previously been linked with a potential move for Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow as a possible replacement for the experienced stopper.

Foster has been an excellent servant at Vicarage Road, and he is an integral part of their dressing room. However, few could begrudge him wanting to end his career with one more major big move to Manchester City if that does become a genuine option for him.

A potential arrival we could see at Watford to help strengthen their squad in the wide attacking positions is in-demand former Chelsea attacker Gael Kakuta.

It has been reported that the Hornets are amongst the sides potentially interested in taking Kakuta from Amiens after he has enjoyed an encouraging season on loan with Lens in Ligue 1. They are being joined by both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace in holding an interest in him and his parent club are thought to be valuing him at around £8.5 million.

Kakuta would be a decent option for Watford to bring into the club this summer, with him having found some real form with Lens this campaign. However, he has had a lot of different spells with various clubs throughout his career and failed to make a positive impact at some of those sides. Therefore, it would be a little bit of a risk expecting him to come in and make a major difference.

This is one that seems to be the most unlikely on this list, but there is the prospect that Ismaila Sarr could head for the exit door at Watford this summer if one of his numerous suitors makes an offer that is deemed to be good enough.

Sarr has been on the radars of various clubs over the last few transfer windows, but ahead of this summer, it has been reported that he is a player that Crystal Palace are set to make a priority. However, Football League World does believe that the Hornets are confident that they will be able to fend off any interest in him and ensure he remains with the club.

Keeping hold of Sarr is vital for Watford, and the attacker will be instrumental in helping them to re-establish themselves in the top-flight. It would take a huge offer from someone for them to even consider allowing him to leave, but you can never completely rule out the possibility of that happening.

The final potential incoming that we could see at Watford this summer that we are taking a look at here is Queens Park Rangers attacker Ilias Chair.

It has been reported by The Athletic that the Hornets are interested in making a move for the talented attacking midfielder following his excellent form with QPR this season. It is also believed that they are set to face competition from the likes of Club Brugge, Bologna and Genoa.

Chair is exactly the right sort of profile of signing that Watford should look to make this summer, he is an up-and-coming talent with a lot of technical ability, and he can both score and create goals in the final third. This is one to get excited about it they can pull it off.

This is one that looks almost assured to happen in the next few weeks, with defender Achraf Lazaar set to leave Vicarage Road following his brief spell with the club.

It has been reported by The Athletic that the defender will not be offered a new deal to remain with the club next season and beyond with him set to be allowed to leave the club. That comes even though the Hornets do hold an option to extend his deal by another 12-months, which was inserted into the short-term deal he signed when he arrived at Watford.

This seems like the correct decision by Watford, with Lazaar not a player that looks like he does not have the desired quality to play in the Premier League for them next term. Allowing him to find a new home elsewhere seems to be the best for all parties.