Watford, owned by Italian Gino Pozzo since 2012, has been seeking new investment for several years. The involvement of Anthony Joshua, even as part of a consortium, highlights the club’s ambition to enhance its financial and promotional standing.

The club’s valuation of £150 million to £175 million aligns closely with Joshua’s reported net worth, making the discussions financially plausible. Watford could significantly benefit from Joshua’s global recognition and commercial appeal.

Although Joshua is not directly involved in the talks, he has been approached about participating in the Championship club’s investment opportunities. These discussions are currently at an entry level.

The details of the proposal remain undisclosed, but it is known that Watford has engaged in talks with other parties regarding a minority stake in the club.

Anthony Joshua, commonly known as "AJ," has an estimated net worth of £150 million to £200 million, according to the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List. He has strong ties to Watford, having been born at Watford General Hospital next to the club’s Vicarage Road ground, growing up in North Watford on the Meriden Estate, and attending school in nearby Kings Langley.

“A business that has brought investment opportunities to Anthony in the past was approached and held an entry-level discussion about an opportunity with Watford Football Club,” a spokesperson for Joshua told The Athletic. “This was an initial chat without even a discussion over due diligence which so often kills these types of deals.”