Watford to play hardball with West Brom over Deeney

Watford are currently holding out on a £35m sum for club-captain Troy Deeney amid interest from Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion.

The 28-year-old had been strongly tipped for a move to Leicester City during the previous summer transfer window before the Hornets managed to commit Deeney to a new five-year deal.

Deeney managed to net 10 goals during the 2016/17 campaign, but he did not have a similar impact as the previous year with his partner Odion Ighalo looking out of shape before pursuing a winter move to China.

According to The Mail, Baggies boss Tony Pulis is eager to add the Englishman to his ranks this summer as he looks to beef up the attack which has been over-reliant on Salomon Rondon.

However, their attempts to land Deeney could be tarnished in the summer with Watford keen on acquiring a £35m in order to let go of their skipper.

Deeney is keen on pursuing a fresh challenge away from Vicarage Road this summer following the constant change of managers which appears to unsettle the current squad.

The former Walsall man stands the chance of becoming West Brom's highest earner at £100,000-a-week, should a deal be struck in the summer transfer window.