Thursday 2 June 2016 11:24, UK
Watford are close to signing Ecuadorian defender Pervis Estupinan on a permanent deal, according to Sky sources.
On Wednesday, Sky sources understood Watford were taking Estupinan on loan from Udinese after the Italian club, who share the same club owners, signed him from Ecuadorian club Liga de Quito the day before.
On Thursday Sky sources confirmed the player is indeed "close to joining Watford", but is coming straight from the Ecuadorian Serie A side on a permanent deal, and not via Udinese.
The highly-rated 18-year-old, who can play as a left-back or winger, has reportedly been a target for a host of Premier League clubs. But Watford, with new head coach Walter Mazzarri now in charge, looks to be his destination.
Estupinan will likely be the Hornets' second signing of the summer, after former Liverpool striker Jerome Sinclair joined the club on a free transfer on May 21.
Estupinan has been with Liga de Quito since 2011.
