It is said to be another indicator that the owner is now focused on Watford, backing up his statements of contending for the play-offs and promotion by bringing in new players as soon as possible for new manager Paulo Pezzolano to work with. The owner also stated in a recent statement that retaining the players currently at the club was critical, and with news last week that Wiley and fellow defender James Abankwah would most likely return next season – the latter expected to join permanently from Udinese – it’s clear the Hornets are eager to keep the squad that finished last season.

Obviously, this would include keeping players like Imran Louza, Georgian international Giorgi Chakvetadze, and Kwadwo Baah. That will be tested more severely when the transfer window begins on June 1 and possible offers begin to arrive. Unlike prior summers, the window will open at the beginning of the month for 10 days, then close briefly before reopening again.

This is to accommodate the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in America in mid-June. The Hornets have already revealed one new signing, midfielder Hector Kyprianou, who joins from Peterborough United on a free transfer. Along with keeping their top players, the club has identified the need for a new striker and is eager to make a permanent acquisition in that area of the pitch – though they would be willing to take a young Premier League player on loan if the appropriate opportunity arose.

The problem with the latter is that top-flight clubs generally take large squads with them on pre-season tours, and will only consider loaning out those they view as surplus to requirements once they are back.

That can often mean loan signings have to be made at the end of the summer transfer window and the Hornets are keen to get as much of their business done sooner rather than later.

Mileta Rajovic will return to London Colney this summer following a loan spell with Brondby in Denmark, and promising Mali international Mamadou Doumbia did a lot to help his cause in the last months of the season. However, it is claimed that neither is considered first-choice, hence the club is looking for the ideal No.9 for new head coach Paulo Pezzolano. That particular post, however, has become one of the most difficult to fill for recruitment teams at all levels.

A number of names have already circulated on social media, including West Ham’s Danny Ings, although The Watford Observer knows he is not being considered at all. Last season, Watford were left scarred by the hugely disastrous loan signing of Bournemouth striker Daniel Jebbison. The Canadian international was signed as Rajovic was returning to Denmark, but Jebbison never looked like the answer in attack, and his time at Vicarage Road was cut short at the start of this year. The signing of custodian Nathan Baxter, who has been granted permission to leave League One club Bolton Wanderers on a free transfer, is said to be nearing completion.

Final paperwork is being finished off and the deal could be announced early next week.