Watford are set to make former Celtic striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo their first signing under new head coach Rob Edwards, it has been revealed.

As per the Watford Observer's Andrew French, the 25-year-old has agreed terms to link up with the Hornets this summer.

The Watford Observer report, though, states that it is unclear when the striker will link up with his new teammates, with Watford's pre-season beginning yesterday.

This news comes as reports from the United States last night claimed that a deal to sell Hornets forward Cucho Hernandez to Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew was done.

Watford are set to net a fee in the region of $10 million (approx. £8.5M) for the 23-year-old.

Who is Vakoun Issouf Bayo?

Vakoun Issouf Bayo has certainly had an interesting career path to date.

Beginning his career in Tunisia with Etoile du Sahel, the player soon made the move to the Slovakian top tier with Dunajska Streda.

Across his two seasons in eastern Europe, the striker netted 22 times in 32 matches, and also laid on nine assists for his teammates.

That record earned the then young forward a move to Scottish giants Celtic, but things never quite clicked for Bayo at Parkhead, where he made just 17 appearances and scored only 2 goals.

Following his Celtic exit, the Ivorian forward headed out on loan back to the continent, scoring 13 goals in 36 matches for second tier French side FC Toulouse as they challenged for promotion.

 

 

Permanently linking up with KAA Gent in Belgium when sold by Celtic last summer, the 25-year-old appeared for the club just 7 times for the club before being loaned out to RSC Charleroi.

Out on loan, Bayo netted 11 times in 16 games for the club, as well as providing two assists.

In a confusing twist, the striker appears to have signed permanently for Charleroi last month following that loan deal.

Bayo has also been capped by his country on a couple of occasions, with his debut coming against the Central African Republic in 2018.

The Verdict

This is certainly a transfer that has come out of nowhere.

With Josh King having reportedly left the club and Cucho Hernandez's sale reported to be done, Watford's options up top were beginning to look thin.

In that sense, the 25-year-old certainly fits a positional need, but it remains to be seen what sort of impact he will have at Vicarage Road.

Celtic are the only club where he has really struggled for any sort of goalscoring form, so it will certainly be interesting to watch how he gets on at Vicarage Road if the Hornets get this one over the line.

Indeed, he doesn't look the most prolific of strikers, but judgement must be reserved until we see him in Championship action next campaign.