Watford are considering a loan deal for Udinese’s Antonio Tikvic to add cover in central defence.
The 19-year-old Croatia Under-21 international is seen as ideal back-up in the left centre-back position, an area that has been earmarked for strengthening during this transfer window with Wesley Hoedt the only left-footed centre-back at Watford.
Tikvic, who is 6ft 4in (193cm), signed for Udinese last summer from Bayern Munich’s reserve team which plays in the third tier in Germany, on a contract until 2028. He is open to the move to the Championship and the transfer has been part of discussions for a few months in the build-up to the January transfer window. Any deal would be subject to work permit approval.
Upon his arrival at Udinese, Tikvic described himself as “a tactically astute player” who is “good in possession”. He added: “I’ve got a great left foot. Despite my height, I’ve got good ball skills and I’m quick.
Tikvic has made one appearance for the Italian club — linked to Watford via the ownership of the Pozzo family — in the Italian Cup, a 2-1 defeat by Cagliari in November. He has been an unused sub on 15 occasions in Serie A but has featured in three of the last four Euro 2025 qualifiers for the Croatia under-21s.
Born in Hamburg to Croatian parents, Tikvic previously played academy football — originally as a forward before moving back through midfield into defence — with St Pauli, Niendorf, Eintracht Frankfurt and Turkgu Munchen before joining Bayern Munich in 2022.
His arrival is set to signal another loan move for Mattie Pollock, with Belgian club Charleroi looking a likely destination. Pollock — who has had temporary spells at Cheltenham and Aberdeen since arriving from Grimsby Town in 2021 — has been a peripheral figure this season with seven substitute appearances in the Championship totalling 84 minutes.
The 22-year-old has attracted interest from sides in the UK but a move to the Belgian top flight has been prioritised by Watford, who have close links to Charleroi — which is run by Mehdi Bayat, brother of Mogi Bayat, a close associate of Watford owner Gino Pozzo.
By replacing Pollock with Tikvic, Watford would retain a group of four centre-backs including Hoedt, Ryan Porteous and Francisco Sierralta.
Both deals could be completed next week after the game against QPR on Sunday and before the following fixture at Bristol City.
(Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
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