Reports in France have strongly suggested Algeria winger Rachid Ghezzal could be on his way to Vicarage Road, following his departure from Lyon.

The midfielder left the former Ligue 1 champions this summer after contract talks broke down, with both parties missing a deadline set by the club for an agreement to be reached.

Moves to Italy, to Serie A sides AC Milan and AS Roma have already been mooted for the 25-year-old, but the latter was reportedly priced out - like Lyon - by the level of his wage demands.

Now it has been reported Watford have joined the clubs vying for his signature, and have made contact with his representatives, but have not made a formal financial offer to lure him to Vicarage Road yet.

Ghezzal was tracked by Tottenham Hotspur early last season, and their interest was little surprise after a campaign which saw him score eight times in 29 games during 2015/16.

His form was less impressive last year, scoring only twice and making another four goals as Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1, although the club were still anxious to keep him with them.

His agent, brother Abdelkader Ghezzal, previously denied any meeting with Roma or Lazio, but met representatives of AC Milan earlier this week.