Football News: Barcelona striker Rey Manaj makes Watford transfer official
Rey Manaj, an international player from Albania, who spent last season on loan at Spezia in Serie A, will sign a three-year deal with Watford with no upfront payment but add-ons contingent on promotion in the next two years
Rey Manaj of SpeziaManaj has signed with London Colney's first team after leaving Barcelona. In addition, Barcelona will be entitled to a sell-on percentage more significant than the 20 per cent reported once Manaj goes on.
The 25-year-old former Inter Milan striker first came to London a week ago for negotiations. After leaving for Italy, he returned on Friday for a medical.
"Football does move very fast, and we acted as quickly as we could," chairman Scott Duxbury mentioned.
"As with anything, rumors start. We wanted to distance ourselves from them, particularly as we were acutely aware other clubs in Europe were interested in the player, and we didn't want to make Barcelona feel we were jumping the gun," he added. "However, we are very pleased to complete the deal for a player who fits the type and style of striker that Rob wanted."
Manaj, born in Albania and later immigrated to Italy with his parents as a child, began working for Cremonese.
Before loan periods in Spain with Pescara, Pisa, and Granada, he played for Piacenza, Cremonese, and Inter Milan in Italy. In 2020, he will join Barcelona from Albacete.
In 2018, he relocated permanently to Spain, joining Albacete of the Segunda Division. His performance there led to a transfer to Barcelona B, and his 16 goals in 31 games there earned him a spot in the main team squad in 2021, albeit he didn't play.
Manaj had one more season on his Barcelona contract when he spent the previous one on loan at Spezia in Serie A. The striker has seven goals in 31 appearances for Albania.
He has stayed in Hertfordshire while waiting for the transaction to be finalized. In 30 Serie A games last year, he scored five goal