Rumors are starting again for Ismaël Koné. After Sheffield and Norwich, now the informant Fabrizio Romano sends him to Watford, in the English second division.
Romano, well known throughout the world for his privileged information on international soccer negotiations, indicates that CF Montreal will obtain a “record sum” for the transfer of the Quebec player to the English club.
According to him, Koné will sign a long-term agreement with Watford. The medical examinations would have already been completed.
The story and the meteoric rise of Ismaël Koné have been told many times. Amateur still in 2021, he trains with the CFM before finally signing a first professional contract in the summer of that year.
He played his very first match with the pros with a start in the Champions League against Santos Laguna last February. And scores, in a 3-0 Montreal victory at Olympic Stadium.
He was quickly recalled by John Herdman in the Canadian selection. Koné made his debut in the maple leaf jersey in March, in San José, against Costa Rica.
He played a very good year under the orders of Wilfried Nancy with CF Montreal: 26 games, including 18 starts, 2 goals and 5 assists. He stood out even in the playoffs, netting the first goal in a 2-0 win over Orlando City SC in the first round.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Ismael Kone
This dream year concludes with not only participation in the FIFA World Cup, but with significant minutes in all three games for Canada. He played respectively 32 minutes against Belgium, 45 minutes against Croatia, and 29 minutes against Morocco.
A transfer to a European club was becoming more and more inevitable. Watford are currently fourth in the Championship, with 33 points. To automatically advance to the Premier League, the club must finish in the top two. These places are held, after 21 games out of 46, by Burnley (41 points) and Sheffield (38 points).
At the end of the season, the teams of the 3e at the 6e position compete in play-offs. The winner joins the first two and moves to the Premier League.