"<h1>Munetsi has played an influential role for Reims since the return of football in France following the 2022<\/h1>\r\n<blockquote> <\/blockquote>\r\nOwn Correspondent And Agencies\r\n<blockquote> <\/blockquote>\r\nBurnley and Watford are both keeping tabs on Stade de Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi, according to a report from Foot Mercato.\r\n\r\nIt is understood that these two Championship sides could potentially face a battle with AFC Bournemouth for Munetsi\u2019s signature if they step up a pursuit as the Premier League outfit are also interested in the 26-year-old.\r\n\r\nDuring the previous campaign, Munetsi managed to provide seven direct goal contributions in the 24 appearances that he made for Reims at this level as they secured a 12th place finish in the standings.\r\n\r\nThe midfielder has been utilised on 16 occasions by the Red and Whites this season.\r\n\r\nMunetsi has played an influential role for Reims since the return of football in France following the 2022 World Cup.\r\nAfter providing an assist in the club\u2019s draw with Montpellier last month, the midfielder scored the winning goal against Ajaccio.\r\n\r\nBurnley will be looking to boost their chances of winning the Championship by engaging in some transfer activity in the coming weeks.\r\n\r\nWatford meanwhile are looking to secure a play-off spot under the guidance of head coach Slaven Bilic and have already signed Joao Ferreira and Matheus Martins this month.\r\n\r\nWhereas it may take Munetsi some time to adapt to life in the Championship due to the fact that he has not featured in this division during his career, he could turn out to be a good addition to Burnley or Watford\u2019s squad if either side are able to convince him to make the move to England.\r\n\r\nHowever, with Bournemouth also in contention for Munetsi\u2019s signature, the Zimbabwe international may be tempted to seal a switch to the top-flight.\r\n\r\nMunetsi would add some versatility to Burnley, Watford or Bournemouth as he is capable of playing as a centre-back as well as a central midfielder.\r\n\r\nWith the transfer window set to close at the end of January, it will be interesting to see whether one of the aforementioned clubs opts to step up their pursuit of Munetsi by tabling a bid.\r\n\r\nIt may take a sizeable offer to test Reims\u2019 resolve as the midfielder\u2019s contract with the French side is set to run until 2026.\r\n\r\nMarshall Munetsi could become the third Zimbabwean player in the English Premier League after reports emerged he has caught the interest of Brighton and Hove Albion.\r\n\r\nThe midfield general was impressive with his French Ligue 1 side Stade Reims in the past term in which he netted four goals.\r\n\r\nHe was one of the top performers for his position in the entire French top-flight league along with Aurelien Tshouameni who has since signed for UEFA Champions League kings Real Madrid from Monaco.\r\n\r\nAnd it looks like Munetsi's exceptional performance has not gone unnoticed with Brighton and Hove also reported to have reached out to his club this week.\r\n\r\nReims are understood to be willing to let go the lanky Zimbabwean, who celebrated his 26th birthday yesterday for something in the region of \u00a37 million.\r\n\r\nHis chances of joining the EPL side have been widened further by the fact that the Seagulls are looking to fill the space left by the departure of their midfield mainstay Yves Bissouma.\r\n\r\nThe latter is now with London side Tottenham Hotspurs. And it is Munetsi who has emerged as the frontrunner to fill that gap.\r\n\r\nLast year Daily Mail reported the Brighton made inquiries about the highly-rated Zimbabwean.\r\n\r\n\"Brighton have asked about highly rated Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi,\" reported The Daily Mail.\r\n\r\n\"The Zimbabwe international, who turned 26 on Wednesday, has been impressing in the French league where his statistics have compared favourably with some of the best midfielders in the country.\r\n\r\n\"Munetsi's figures, notably on interceptions and defensive duels won in game, put him ahead of the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni who joined Real Madrid from Monaco earlier this month and Boubacar Kamara who left Marseille for Aston Villa.\"\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[wpforms id=\"7393\" title=\"true\" description=\"true\"]\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n "