Watford boss Flores makes personal check on Ecuador’s rising star Jose Cifuentes
WATFORD boss Quique Sanchez Flores has made a personal check on Ecuador’s rising star Jose Cifuentes.
The midfield sensation made his first full start for the national side against Argentina last Sunday and impressed despite a 6-1 beating.
Cifuentes, 20, still plays in Ecuador for Universidad Catolica where he is already attracting interest from a host of other clubs.
Premier League champions Manchester City have already made contact to sound out whether a deal is possible while Celtic are another club keen.
The youngster starred in the World U20 Championships in the summer leading to City trying to strike an agreement.
But his valuation, including a chunky cut to his agent, proved too costly.
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However, Cifuentes has since made a couple of appearances for Ecuador and is now in their first XI as they build a new side.
The Hornets are looking as he is expected to pick up more appearances before the next window and that makes gaining a work permit easier.
Watford could send Cifuentes out on loan to one of their partner clubs but Flores is keen to see whether he thinks he can go straight into the Premier League.