A £32 million bid for Abdoulaye Doucoure from Everton has been rejected.

Reports in the French media on Saturday claimed the Hornets had spurned the Toffees move for the key midfielder and we have been told these claims are correct.

It has been suggested that the Goodison Park outfit will table a second offer for the 26-year-old, with former Watford boss Marco Silva keen to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

However, any further approaches are likely to receive short shrift with reports that the Hornets have no intention of striking any deal with Everton this late in the window.

Furthermore, it is also claimed that Doucoure would only be prepared to consider a move to one of the Premier League's 'big six' or overseas if he were to leave to Vicarage Road to play European football 

The Frenchman, who played the full 90 minutes of Watford’s 2-1 pre-season friendly victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday, signed a new five-year contract last summer following extensive speculation linking him with a move away from the club.