Watford have agreed fee with Tottenham Hotspur for both Etienne Capoue and Benjamin Stambouli, according to reports.
Tottenham are thought to have beaten off some stiff competition to sign Capoue in the summer of 2013, when they paid £9.3million to take him from Toulouse. But the 26-year-old has struggled to impose himself at White Hart Lane, making just 24 appearances in the Premier League, and he doesn’t feature in the long-term plans of head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
It has been reported by the London Evening Standard that top-flight new-boys Watford have had an offer of £5.7million accepted for the France international, who has seven caps for his country, and the midfielder is thought to be close to agreeing personal terms. And it appears as though the former Les Pitchouns star could be joined at Vicarage Road by one of his Spurs pals.
Stambouli has only been in North London since last September, when he joined from Montpellier in a £4million deal. Like his compatriot Capoue, he too has found life difficult at Tottenham, having featured just 12 times in their Premier League campaign. Marseille are keen to take him back to France, but the 24-year-old wants to stay in England and will now hold talks with Watford.
The Hornets have already signed Austria defender Sebastian Prodl, goalkeeper Giedrius Arlauskis and striker Matej Vydra who joins on a permanent basis following his successful loan stint last term. Sky Sports also understand head coach Quique Flores hopes to make Greece international fullback Jose Holebas another addition, although a fee has yet to be agreed with Roma.
As for Spurs, there are likely to be more departures before the summer window shuts. Capoue and Stambouli look set to leave in the near future, whist Paulinho has already joined Guangzhou Evergrande and Lewis Holtby has completed a permanent move to Hamburg. Emmanuel Adebayor, Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches are also expected to leave.
