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  • "
    Bush Hornet wrote:
    cbuk1983 wrote:
    Got some serious drama queens on here. "What's happening? What's going on?". What the hell do fans expect? A running commentary on negotiations? It's an extremely complex process, not like making a purchase from Argos... There are all kind of things to mull over and investigate and there's an awful lot of money involved. Takeovers take weeks / months... Not days — Grow up.
    Exactly
    Of course its complex but they should understand they have a whole fan base waiting for news. No need for running commentary but some indication along the lines of "hoping to conclude in the next 2 weeks" or "next 48 hrs" of "by the end of July" would at least set some sort of expectation and stop fans clicking the refresh button every 10 mins !!

    There is a real urgency here with the league starting in 7 weeks and available players getting snapped up.

    My fear is the expectation was "imminent" earlier in the week (though not officially announced as such) but they have hit a problem they can't work round and the whole thing may fall away. Its bizarre that we are planning to sign a player in these circumstances who one of the regimes may not want. Presume SD wanted him ? If so is this an indication that SD will be part of the new structure or a sign that the deal is off ??"
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Former Manchester United and Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton to join Watford

8:00am Friday 29th June 2012 in Latest Football News Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith , Deputy Group Sports Editor

Tom Heaton celebrates during this year's Carling Cup final. Picture: Action Images Tom Heaton celebrates during this year's Carling Cup final. Picture: Action Images

The Hornets are confident Stephen McGinn will commit his future to the club and are also hoping to conclude their first summer signing in the coming days, the Watford Observer understands.

Watford have been competing with Ipswich Town and Bristol City for the services of Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton and we understand the Golden Boys have won the race for his signature.

Heaton started his career at Wrexham but moved to Manchester United as a trainee.

The 26-year-old spent five years at Old Trafford as a professional but did not make a competitive appearance for the Red Devils; spending most of his time out on loan, with spells at Swindon Town, Belgian side Royal Antwerp, Cardiff, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.

Heaton returned to Cardiff to sign a permanent deal in June 2010 and was often first choice goalkeeper during his first season at the club.

However, the Bluebirds were blessed to have two very good goalkeepers and when Malky Mackay arrived last summer, he was keen to have a settled number one and David Marshall just edged ahead of Heaton during pre-season.

Heaton did play in the cup competitions though and was instrumental in Cardiff reaching the Carling Cup final, which they lost to Liverpool on penalties.

We understand Cardiff offered Heaton a new contract but he expressed his desire to leave in search of first team football.

There was speculation Watford midfielder McGinn was heading in the opposite direction and joining Cardiff when his contract expires on Saturday.

However, we understand City are not interested in the midfielder and we expect the 23-year-old to sign a new deal with the Hornets.

Watford’s players were at the club’s training ground for the first three days of this week for testing, ahead of pre-season which begins on July 9, and we understand McGinn joined the squad at London Colney.

McGinn has not played a competitive match for more than 16 months following a cruciate knee ligament injury but returned to ‘full fitness’ towards the end of last season, playing in several Reserve team matches.

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