Exclusive: Watford Push for Permanent Deal as Chelsea's Wiley Shines on Loan

Watford want to sign Chelsea loan defender Caley Wiley on a permanent deal, SportsBoom sources can reveal.

The highly-rated United States international has impressed at Vicarage Road this season. 

But his current deal with the Blues expires in June and SportsBoom understands the player is keen to play regular football in the Championship.

The Hornets are hungry to tie the 20-year-old left-back to a permanent move with his first-team chances at Stamford Bridge likely limited going forward.

Wiley arrived at Watford in early February this year after recovering from a shoulder injury.

He had to wait patiently for his chance – just over a month – as he recovered from his injury.

The former Major League Soccer star enjoyed ten appearances for the Hornets this season and enjoyed regular football after his unfortunate injury setback.

Despite recently parting ways with manager Tom Cleverley after a 14th-placed finish, the club remains active in the transfer market to bolster the squad, while the search for a new head coach continues.

FUTURE STAR

Wiley has represented his country on three occasions at senior level and is seen as a future star for the national side going forward.

American Wiley started his professional career with Atlanta United and was sold to Chelsea in July last year, then aged 19, for a £8.5million fee.

He was immediately loaned out to Strasbourg on a season-long deal to get much-needed first-team football under his belt.

And then in February the player was recalled from his debut loan spell and given the chance to shine for Watford in the second tier.

Last summer he was called up to Team USA for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, losing to Morocco in the quarter-finals.

His ability to play as a wing-back and winger make him a versatile signing, one which the Hornets are hoping to hone in with a number of other admirers also monitoring the player’s position.