Report: Sottil dropped by Watford, El Shaarawy close to Genoa move
Quick summary
Reports suggest Riccardo Sottil has been dropped by Watford, while Stephan El Shaarawy is nearing a transfer to Genoa.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceRiccardo Sottil had already undergone his medical tests in England, but Watford have decided not to sign the Fiorentina winger, while Stephan El Shaarawy is close to Genoa as a free agent.
The transfer deadline has passed in Italy and is imminent in the Premier League, but one deal will not be going through.
No Watford for Sottil LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: RIccardo Sottil of US Lecce in action during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) Sottil was all set to come to Watford on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season from Fiorentina.
He flew out to London and underwent the medical tests, so it was expected to be a simple matter of finalising the paperwork.
Instead, Sky Sport Italia claim late this evening that Watford changed their minds and will now not be signing Sottil after all.
The 27-year-old was a product of the Fiorentina youth academy and had loan experiences at Pescara, Cagliari, Milan and most recently Lecce.
PARMA, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: Riccardo Sottil of Lecce celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Danilo Veiga of Lecce during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and US Lecce at Stadio Ennio Tardini on October 04, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) His contract at the Stadio Franchi only runs to June 2027, so it is possible he will either look for markets that are still open, or terminate his contract by mutual consent to become a free agent.
Genoa are meanwhile close to agreeing terms with free agent El Shaarawy, who was released by Roma on June 30.
VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) This represents a return home for the attacking winger who turns 34 next month, because he was in the Genoa academy and flourished before moves to Milan, Monaco, Roma and Shanghai Shenhua.
He last wore the Genoa jersey in May 2011.
Source attribution: this article content is based on the linked publisher feed/source. Chance adds independent soccer context, impact analysis, entity links, and related news.
What happened
According to Italian media reports, Riccardo Sottil's time at Watford appears to be coming to an end after the club decided to drop him. Meanwhile, Stephan El Shaarawy is reportedly on the verge of joining Genoa. The double development signals significant movement in Italian transfer activity, with El Shaarawy potentially returning to Serie A after stints abroad and in China. Sottil, who had been on loan or signed with Watford, looks set to be released or moved on as the English club reshapes its squad.
Chance analysis
El Shaarawy moving to Genoa would represent a notable homecoming for a player who broke through at Milan and has since had spells at Monaco, Shanghai, and Roma. Genoa are rebuilding under their new ownership and adding a player of El Shaarawy's experience could provide creativity and goal threat. Sottil's departure from Watford, meanwhile, is a reminder of the difficult pathway Italian wingers often face in adapting to the physical demands of the English game.
Genoa would gain an experienced attacker; Watford shed a squad player who was not part of plans; both players face career direction changes.