Watford made Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu their first signing of the January transfer window on Monday evening.
The 23-year-old moves to Vicarage Road on a six-month loan spell, having spent time at Everton, Barcelona and AC Milan over the past two-and-a-half seasons.
He has had differing levels of success at each of those clubs and we asked three journalists who followed him closely at Everton, Barcelona and AC Milan for their thoughts on the deal.
Phil Kirkbride (Everton reporter - Liverpool Echo)
What can Watford fans expect from Deulofeu?
A hugely talented player with the ability to skin defenders with ease. He's far from potent in front of goal but his strength lies in supplying others.
Geri has pace to get to the by-line and is sure to be a popular member of the dressing room.
He's a really likeable young man. But he doesn't care much for defending.....
It always felt like Deulofeu never quite fulfilled his potential at Everton, is that fair and why do you think that is?
That is fair. Ultimately, he was inconsistent and when Everton had a change of manager he will unable to adapt his game to suit what Ronald Koeman wanted.
Koeman liked his ability going forward but expected much, much more of him at the other end. In many ways, it was an alien concept to Geri.
Many Everton fans questioned his fitness levels as well although he rejected any idea he lacked stamina.
Are you surprised to see him back in the Premier League so soon and do you think he'll be a success at Vicarage Road?
I'm not surprised to see that he's left Barcelona because it felt like a strange move in many ways when he went back to the Nou Camp.
The feeling at Goodison was that he would struggle to make an impression and so it's proved. But I think many will be surprised to see him back in the Premier League.
His loan spell at AC Milan appeared to be a relative success and a lot assumed the Italian game was perhaps more to his liking.
Yet, he has Premier League experience and has shown, albeit inconsistently, that he can have an impact in this country
Andrew Gaffney (La Liga Writer - Yahoo Sport)
First and foremost, what has Deulofeu's form been like this season?
Deulofeu's form is like his career: moments of brilliance sprinkled in with frustration.
This was his big chance to stake a claim for a starting spot at Barcelona - something he personally believes he is capable of - but he's failed to do that.
When the Coutinho deal fell through in the summer - and Dembele got injured straight away -. Valverde gave him regular playing time but his performances weren't at the expected level.
17 appearances including ten starts, is it a surprise to see him head out on loan, or was it inevitable?
It isn't a surprise to see him go out on loan and less so now Coutinho is at the club. Despite it looking like a long shot, Deulofeu is desperate to force his way into Spain's World Cup plans and couldn't do that with cameo appearances off the bench.
What can Watford fans expect from Deulofeu?
Watford fans can expect to see pace and drive in attack. Deulofeu is extremely talented and mixes his pace with plenty of tricks but needs to work on his end product.
The main frustration comes from his decision-making as far too often he picks the wrong option. The good news is he tends to produce his best form when on loan (at Everton and AC Milan) and that's what this deal will be.
What, in your opinion, must he do to reach his potential?
The key to Deulofeu improving is opening up to the idea of coaches being able to help him. Since he was a teenager, everyone told him he was going to be a superstar. Sometimes this can inspire players to work harder and take every opportunity to learn. For others they take their foot off the pedal and act like they've already made it.
Unfortunately Deulofeu slots in the category of the latter. If he finds a coach which can tap into that talent, that potential (still only 23, remember) then we might see an improvement in the next six months.
Do you think he can be a success at Vicarage Road?
I think Deulofeu can be a success at Watford. I don't think he's someone who shines in the spotlight and at Watford he should be given ample time to work out the kinks in his armour without too much criticism.
Javi Gracia is a great man manager and will know how to protect him, and offer advice, without hurting the player's pride. If the two get on well, he could offer an extra spark to Watford's attack.
Is there a future for him at Barca if his loan spell at Watford is a success?
As for a future at Barcelona, I don't see it. The majority of us saw the signing of Deulofeu as opportunistic due to how little he cost. Of course losing Neymar wasn't part of their plan but the fact they still signed Coutinho after getting Dembele shows that Deulofeu's role at best would be as a bit-part player.
The only reason this move is a loan as opposed to a transfer is because due to the deal Barcelona agreed with Everton, any sale in the first 12 months would see a percentage go to the English club.
In the summer, regardless of his form at Watford, the player will be on the market again. As for the price, well that does depend on how he performs in the Premier League in the next six months.
Adam Digby (Italian football expert)
Just how good was he at AC Milan last year?
He was genuinely excellent. Offered a threat going forward along with pace & a direct style that really helped Milan punch above their weight. Vincenzo Montella really liked him as an option in attack and, because Milan lacked quality overall, his impact really noticable as so few other players were able to make such an impression.
Why do you think it clicked for him at the San Siro and he was able to produce consistent form when he has not elsewhere?
As I mentioned above, Montella really put faith in him & the Coach really connected with last season's squad. They all bought into what he was trying to do & succeeded because of the boss' approach, he's a really good man-manager & Deulofeu seemed to thrive in that environment surrounded by other promising young players
Are you surprised, given the links, that he did not return to Italy this window?
A little. Having said that I think the money on offer at even the smaller English clubs holds a major sway as the top teams in Italy weren't looking at him this month
Do you think he can succeed in the Premier League and at Vicarage Road?
Yeah definitely, he has the speed and skill to thrive any where, I guess what really matters is if he feels trusted and important, because it was only with those things that he's produced his best
Would AC Milan be interested in a permanent move for him in the summer?
Unlikely as they've moved on from both Montella and his style. Their financial situation makes everything difficult to predict but now they're almost certain to miss out on Champions League football, next summer could be one the Rossoneri endure on a much tighter budget