Report: Watford close to signing Roma's Juan Iturbe on initial loan deal

Watford is close to agreeing to a £12-million deal for Roma's out-of-favour winger Juan Iturbe, who would initially move to Vicarage Road on loan in January ahead of a possible permanent transfer, according to Simon Burnton and Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian.

Roma is asking for a £1-million loan fee, and is willing to include a buyout clause set at a further £11 million.

As part of the deal, Victor Ibarbo, who has made just three appearances for Watord after moving to the Premier League side on a separate loan deal from Roma last summer, would return to Italy.

Roma put up €22-million to sign Iturbe from Hellas Verona in 2014. He has failed to live up to the hype, scoring just five goals in 55 appearances for the Giallorossi.

Watford, however, reportedly sees the 22-year-old as a viable signing that would ease the goal-scoring burden at the club. Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney account for 15 of Watford's 18 Premier League goals.

Iturbe has made just five starts for Roma this season, primarily serving as a substitute throughout the start of the 2015-16 campaign.