Sources: Watford in pole position to sign George Bello
Watford are leading the chase to sign USA defender George Bello, sources have told Football Insider.
The 20-year-old is wanted by the Hornets after catching the eye for Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga second tier.
Bello is understood to be available for a cut-price fee of £1.5million following Arminia’s relegation from the German top flight last summer.
Watford boss Slaven Bilic is keen to bolster his side’s defensive options this month and has given the green light to a move for Bello.
He is also wanted by other Championship clubs.
Bello has been a bit-part player for the German side this season, only starting three league games out of 17.
He has made nine substitute appearances but these are usually in the late stages of games.
Arminia are struggling this season, languishing 16th in Bundesliga 2.
Bello has made seven appearances for the USMNT, though he only featured once for his country in 2022.
The defender came through the ranks at Atalanta United and made 59 appearances for the side before his move to Germany.
While at the MLS club, he won the MLS Cup and was named as an MLS all-star at the end of the 2021 season.
Watford have moved up to fourth in the Championship after experiencing a bounce in form under Bilic.
The Hornets are next in action against Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday (7 January).
In other news, sources have also told Footbal Insider that Aston Villa star Cameron Archer has agreed to join Middlesbrough.