Stefano Okaka is continuing his search for a new club despite missing out on a deadline day move away from Watford, says Javi Gracia.

The Watford striker looked set to leave Vicarage Road last month, with moves to Fulham, Malaga and Galatasaray all mooted but failing to come to fruition.

Gracia, who is still in his infancy as Watford’s new head coach, says Okaka’s future lies out of his hands, despite being impressed by the burly centre-forward.

“I think he is looking for other clubs. That’s all I can say,” Gracia said. “Stefano Okaka, for me, is a very good person and a good player. I don’t know the situation and it doesn’t depend on me.

“I’m waiting to see what will happen with Okaka. I don’t know if he’ll move or stay. We will see what will happen.”

Okaka’s desire to leave WD18 looked to have been sparked by Marco Silva’s reluctance to give him a run in the starting XI.

However, the issues appear to lie beyond the now departed head coach and Okaka is somewhat in a state of limbo.

He remains among three recognised strikers in the Watford squad, along with Troy Deeney and Andre Gray, but is firmly behind the duo in the pecking order.