Watford are still hopeful of signing Samba Diakite on loan despite the arrival of defensive midfielder Daniel Tozser earlier this week.

Diakite’s move to the Hornets stalled after QPR asked for a large proportion of the player’s wages and it appeared interest may have ended when Genoa’s Tozser arrived on loan earlier this week.

However, talks between the 25-year-old’s representatives and Watford continued and with Iriney joining Mallorca, the Golden Boys are actively seeking another holding midfielder, with Diakite their number one target.

When QPR manager Harry Redknapp was asked if he expected Diakite to join Watford today, he replied: “That could happen, yes. We’ve been talking about it.”

Diakite initially joined Rangers on loan from Nancy in January 2012 before the move was made permanent in the summer, when he signed a four-year deal.

The player made ten appearances last season before Mark Hughes was replaced by Redknapp.

He made a further five outings for QPR before heading to the African Cup of Nations where he was injured in Mali’s fourth game of the tournament.

Diakite only made one more appearances for QPR last season and has had just one Captial One Cup outing during this campaign, which means he has not featured in a league match for more than a year.

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