Watford omit Dennis from pre-season amid exit links

Nigerian Emmanuel Dennis, Ismaila Sarr, Adam Masina and Danny Rose did not fly to Austria for Watford’s six-day pre-season training camp, which concludes on Sunday with the club’s second pre-season friendly against Greek side Panathinaikos.

The decision to omit the four players is the clearest signal yet that they are on the exit path from the club.

Watford are in discussions with the agents of Dennis and Sarr, while Mogi Bayat, who brokers many of the club’s deals, is also known to be involved in the process.

Dennis wants to stay in the Premier League and is reportedly on the radar of Everton, West Ham United, Southampton and Fulham. However, no offers have been presented by any of the clubs.

He was linked with the clubs after scoring 10 goals and registering six assists last season for the Hornets, but he couldn’t stop them getting relegated to the Championship.

The former Club Brugge man is Watford’s most valuable asset and although it’s expected a deal will eventually be able to be struck for a fee in the region of £20m, Watford owner Gino Pozzo, known as a tough negotiator, will want to drive a hard bargain.

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