“?Watford face competition for the signing of Juventus’ Mario Lemina, “?according to the Watford Observer.
The Hornets have been linked with a move for the midfielder in recent days. However, fellow Premier League sides Stoke City and Leicester City are said to be vying with Watford for Lemina’s signature.
The defensive midfielder spent the 2015/16 campaign on loan at Juve from Ligue 1 side Marseille, making 17 appearances in all competitions for Massimiliano Allegri’s side last term, and agreed to an £8m switch during the close season.
The 22-year-old, though, is not considered to be part of the Serie A champions’ plans ahead of the new campaign, despite only making his move permanent earlier in July.
His availability is said to have alerted a number of clubs across Europe, including Watford, while Juventus are open to the possibility of sending Lemina out on loan, as well as selling him – a move which could see Watford end up making a bid for the talented Gabon international.
Reports in Italy, however, state that the Hornets are more interested in signing an attacking midfielder rather than a defensively-minded player.
New manager Walter Mazzarri is keen on recruiting more new faces as he moulds his Watford first-team squad in his image ahead of the 2016/17 season.
The Italian has already drafted in Isaac Success, Jerome Sinclair, Christian Kabasele, Juan Camilo Zuniga and Brice Dja Djedje during the opening months of his reign.
Mazzarri has been linked with making an offer for Lille play-maker Sofiane Boufal, but any concrete bid for the 22-year-old’s services have yet to materialise.
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