Watford have opened talks for Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko after agreeing to sell Will Hughes to Crystal Palace for £10m.
The 32-year-old Sissoko still has two years left on contract but wants a new challenge as he recognises he will have limited game time under Nuno Espírito Santo as the Portuguese takes charge of a re-shaped squad.
The Tottenham boss hopes to make new additions but the club have been rebuffed in their bid to sign Wolves’ Adama Traore.
After knocking back Spurs’ £5m loan offer with view to a permanent deal, the Molineux club have re-iterated the winger is not for sale and he could now sign a new contract.
Tottenham still want to streamline their squad particularly of non homegrown players though are reluctant to let Sissoko go on a free.
Watford have considered a number of defensive midfielders including Rangers’ Glen Kamara and Okan Yokuslu of Celta Vigo but are now talking to Spurs to see if a deal can be struck for Sissoko.
Hughes is close to finalising his move to Palace after a £10m deal was agreed between the clubs. Palace are understood to have offered £6m plus add-ons for the 26-year-old who had turned down the offer of a new contract and also had interest from Burnley.
Hughes could yet be followed out of the Vicarage Road exit by captain Troy Deeney. The 33-year-old is considering his options after 11 seasons at Watford.
Deeney has twice appeared as a substitute this season and is wary of diminishing game time.
Watford, who have sold Isaac Success to sister club Udinese, will assess all offers for Deeney over the coming days.