The Irish Independent claims Watford could play the system to acquire our 19-year-old forward Jerome Sinclair in the summer without having to pay a hefty tribunal fee.
Sinclair’s contract is out in the summer and he seemingly has no plans to sign a new one, with Jurgen Klopp recently making telling comments about how Liverpool youngsters need to focus on development and not big contracts during their teens (via BBC Sport).
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Due to his age, Liverpool would be due a hefty compensation fee if Watford snapped him up come the end of the season, but these rules do not apply for teams abroad.
Watford’s owners, the Pozzo family, control Granada and Udinese as well – so according to the report – could ‘sign’ Sinclair to either Spain or Italy – but loan him back to Watford.
This would alleviate the tribunal fee, meaning Watford could effectively snare Sinclair for peanuts.
The striker has recently signed Aidy Ward as his agent, so it’s no surprise whatsoever to us that he’s out for the biggest lump sum – and if that’s his attitude – then good riddance.
The report claims that we could miss out on £5m though if Watford use this loophole – which is by no means insignificant – especially when you consider that’s close to the amount we’re haggling over for Alex Teixeira (via Daily Mail).