Watford still in talks with free agent Michail Antonio after a four-signing deadline day

Watford remain in talks over a post-window deal for Michail Antonio, Sky Sports reported on 2 September. As a free agent since leaving Qatar's Al-Sailiya he can sign outside the window, and the report stressed there is no rush. The 36-year-old has been training at the club's Hertfordshire base since mid-August.

Antonio spent ten years at West Ham before his release in June 2025, and broke his leg in a car accident in December 2024. Earlier this summer he said he was weighing retirement: "I've just got to make a decision." Head coach Alessio Dionisi has described his view of Antonio as "very positive" while declining to say whether a contract will follow, noting the striker "needs to work to get back to full fitness".

The talks come after Watford's busiest day of the window. Stephy Mavididi arrived from Leicester City on loan with an option to buy, Soumaila Coulibaly on the same terms, Branimir Mlacic on loan from Udinese, and free agent Myron Boadu on a one-year deal with options. Sporting director Luke Dowling said the signings had "taken perhaps longer than we certainly wanted and expected", with the club using 22 of its 25 EFL squad slots.

As with every report on this site: nothing is agreed until Watford or the player says so.