Udinese send Iker Bravo, Zemura and Payero to Watford in multi-player deal
Quick summary
Udinese have completed the transfer of Iker Bravo, Jordan Zemura, and Martín Payero to Watford as part of a multi-player deal between the two Pozzo-owned clubs.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceUdinese are completing a triple sale to Watford, handing over Iker Bravo, Martin Payero and Jordan Zemura to the English Championship side.
The two clubs are still both owned by the Pozzo family, so have a long history of exchanging players at favourable terms.
Those bonds remain and they continue to do regular business together.
Udinese send trio to Watford GENOA, ITALY – APRIL 04: Iker Bravo of Udinese is challenged by Morten Frendrup and Stefano Sabelli of Genoa during the Serie A match between Genoa and Udinese at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on April 04, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) Sky Sport Italia report today that Iker Bravo has already signed his contract after undergoing a medical and completed the permanent transfer to London.
The 21-year-old first came to Udinese from Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and spent the last six months on loan at Las Palmas.
CREMONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Martin Payero of US Cremonese and Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli fight for the ball during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giovanni Zini on December 28, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images) Following him to Watford is Payero, the Argentina international midfielder who spent last season on loan at Cremonese.
He is already familiar with English football after playing for Middlesbrough, and came to Udinese in 2023.
Sky Sport Italia claim he too has already undergone a medical in England.
Zemura is next in line and should fly out in the next 24-48 hours, also on a permanent move from Udinese.
It is a return home for the Zimbabwe international left-back, who was born in London and spent time in the QPR and Charlton Athletic youth academies.
He moved from Bournemouth to Udinese in 2023.
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
Udinese have confirmed the departures of Iker Bravo, Jordan Zemura, and Martín Payero to Watford. The deal is part of the established relationship between the two clubs owned by the Pozzo family, which has historically seen players move between Watford, Udinese, and Granada. Bravo joined Udinese from Real Madrid's youth setup, while Zemura and Payero were signed to give Udinese squad depth but have now been redirected to Watford. The move appears aimed at strengthening Watford's squad ahead of the new season.
Chance analysis
This is a cross-club player exchange within the Pozzo family network (Udinese-Watford-Granada axis), a well-established pipeline in Italian and English football. For Watford, acquiring three players simultaneously represents a significant squad refresh, likely addressing multiple positional needs. The departure of these players frees up wage bill and squad spots at Udinese. From a prediction standpoint, Watford's lineup and tactical setup could see meaningful changes, while Udinese will need replacements or youth promotions.
Watford receive three new signings bolstering squad depth, while Udinese lose three players and may need to reinforce or promote from within.
Watford gain three new players from Udinese's network; expect squad strengthening that may improve their competitiveness in the upcoming season.