Celta Vigo move for Irankunda blocked by Watford’s £10m demands
Celta Vigo made a push for Australian winger Nestory Irankunda, but Watford rejected two £10m bids for the 20-year-old attacker. The Galician side, sitting sixth in La Liga with 54 points from 14 wins, 12 draws and 12 losses, remains in the hunt for attacking reinforcements after scoring 53 goals this season.
Why Watford hit the brakes on the deal
Watford bought back 10% of Irankunda’s sell-on clause from Bayern Munich, raising the effective price tag. The Hornets’ hierarchy chose to keep the youngster, at least until the transfer window closes. The pacy winger, still coveted across Europe, remains a prime target for clubs like Celta Vigo, who need more cutting edge up front.
Where Celta Vigo stand right now
With a +5 goal difference (53 scored, 48 conceded), the Galician side keep grinding through an uneven La Liga campaign. Their last result was a 1-0 win over Sevilla on 23 May 2026, and over their last five games they’ve gone two wins, two draws and one loss. They trail leaders Barcelona by 40 points, yet the European spots are still within reach.
Next steps for Irankunda and Celta Vigo
Irankunda, who joined Watford in 2024, still has a contract running to 2027, but his market value keeps climbing. Celta Vigo, already armed with Iago Aspas and Gabri Veiga in attack, could return with a lower offer if Watford softens its stance. Meanwhile, the Vigo-based side keeps talking to other targets as the transfer window winds down.
