Matej Vydra's agent says he can't imagine the striker playing in the Championship next season

The Czech Republic international joined the Hornets on loan from Udinese last summer and was Watford’s top scorer with 22 goals.

His impressive form saw him named the Championship player of the season and he has been linked with a move to Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.

Chovanec said Vydra was “very happy” at Watford last season but added the striker wants to test himself in a higher division.

“I can’t imagine him playing in the Championship again right now,” Chovanec told the Evening Standard. “We discussed it with the boy and he would like to play with the top players on the top level.

“It’s difficult because he was very happy at Watford, but if you get the opportunity to play Premier League or German Bundesliga would you say no?

“He is the number one Czech international striker and he would like to play the same level competition as Petr Cech is doing.”

Chovanec said he met with Gino Pozzo last Friday to discuss Vydra’s future. He stated Watford want to keep the striker and should he stay at Vicarage Road it is likely to be on a permanent deal.

However, he added: “The Pozzos are always saying if the player wants to leave and the offer is good enough then let’s discuss.

“At the moment he would like to play in the highest league. He had two or three proposals from Premier League clubs in January and he has had fresh proposals.”

The comments from Chovanec go against what Watford owner Gianpaolo Pozzo said last week in an interview with Udineseblog.it.

Gianpaolo Pozzo was asked whether he expected the Hornets to retain Vydra. He replied: “Absolutely; we want to make the team stronger to do better. He will stay at Watford.”

When asked a similar question, he responded: “Of course [he will stay].”