Harry Amass a Watford Target as Hornet's Look for Left-Back Solution

Watford Admire Harry Amass After Shock Left-Back Recall

Well, it seems that every team in the Championship is looking for a left back. Preston North End and Blackburn have been hit with injuries on the left-hand side and have thus shown interest in Swindon sensation Finley Munroe, while just today, Watford have been forced to delve into the left-back market thanks to an injury to Caleb Wiley.

The American Wiley had his loan deal at the Hornets terminated today in order for him to return to parent club Chelsea for treatment, and as such, Watford are now in search of a direct replacement.

🚨🔜 Watford keep working on new left back this January.

Harry Amass is currently the preferred option over Julio Soler.

Heavy competition from other Championship clubs for Amass though. #WatfordFC #MUFC #AFCB pic.twitter.com/aF3Zaa07VR

— Transfer Daily (@Transfer1_Daily) January 5, 2026

Fortunately, there is a ready-made replacement already plying his trade in the Championship in Harry Amass, the Manchester United loanee who has seriously caught the eye while at bottom-of-the-table Sheffield Wednesday.

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Having only ever played seven senior games prior to his move to the Owls at the start of the campaign, Amass plays like he has been operating at the highest level for years. His return of one goal and one assist may not sound like much, but as a left back, those are not the stats you should be interested in.

Across all Championship left backs, he ranks in the 100th percentile for duels won (164), tackles made (68), recoveries (145) and successful dribbles (35), whilst he also ranks extremely high for expected assists (2.48), touches in the opposition box (39) and fouls won (37), stats that on the surface would have you believing he is an all-action, box-to-box midfielder.

These figures underline what a complete player Amass is at the age of just 18, and his ability has not gone amiss amongst other Championship clubs. Two days ago, it looked as if he was set to leave Sheffield Wednesday for high-flyer Stoke until the end of the campaign, and now, in the wake of Wiley’s unfortunate absence, Amass is now top of Watford’s New Year’s resolutions.

For Watford, it would be a superb signing; Wiley was good in attack, but his defensive contributions left a lot to be desired, perhaps part of the reason why he only played five times in yellow this season.

Amass would represent a significant upgrade on the left flank, not least because he would be returning to his first ever professional club, where he played in the U18 side at just 15 years old. Having shown what he is all about at the worst team in the league, imagine what he could do at sixth-placed Watford or eighth-placed Stoke - he would blossom with better quality players around him.

It speaks volumes that despite playing for a side that has just one win all season, Amass has scooped the Owls’ player of the month award in two consecutive months. Not only is he immensely talented - he is consistent, a rare and coveted trait.

However, Watford are not yet placing all of their eggs in one basket - just yesterday, they were allegedly considering making a loan move for 20-year-old Bournemouth talent Julio Soler, who plays the same role as Amass.

🚨🟡⚫️ Watford are looking for new LB with Julio Soler in the shortlist and under consideration over loan from Bournemouth.

Caleb Wiley left Watford today as loan has been interrupted — back to Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/Hns8gS9dpY

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2026

While it is too early to say which of the two left backs Watford will eventually bring in, no one can deny that a transfer is needed to plug the gap. Both would be high-quality replacements, but the difference between Amass and Soler is that Amass is match fit, with 21 games under his belt; Soler boasts just four this season.

It is unlikely the deal will be a permanent one, with Manchester United unwilling to pawn off such a prized young asset when in reality he could be part of the United senior squad in the next 12 months. A loan then seems a lot more sensible, and a move to either Watford or Stoke would provide Amass the perfect platform to take his game to the next level.