Edoardo Bove joined Watford on a free transfer during the January transfer window.

The deal was seen as quite a coup in Italy, even though the midfielder hasn’t played in over 12 months. Previously he’d impressed for AS Roma before joining Fiorentina on a loan deal.

A heart problem had denied him from playing in Italy, as Bove had a defibrillator inserted in his chest in 2025. The Italian has yet to play for Watford, but hype is now growing about his on-field return.

Pozzo family’s group sporting director Gianluca Nani spoke to Sky Italia on Monday about the midfielder’s move to London. He revealed key details on how the transfer progressed.

The Italian said – relayed by ForzaRoma: “It was Udinese v Fiorentina, the last match of the season. he arrived at theTrieste airport with me and there was no car waiting for him. So I touched him on the shoulder and offered him a ride. He looked at me as if to say who this crazy guy is.”

“I said – you don’t know me but I do. Eventually he trusted me, got in the car, we talked, and I told him we’d work together soon. When...