Watford have agreed a deal to sign M'Baye Niang on loan with a view to a permanent deal subject to the forward accepting personal terms. 

The Hornets are close to signing the 22-year-old according to a source in Italy.

Milan accept they need Niang to move on, due to his off the field problems in Italy, with a deal in the region of €17m in place.

The Hornets initially only wanted to bid €10m but have upped their offer in an effort to beat competition from rivals. 

Niang is best suited to playing on the left wing or the left-hand side of a three-man attack.

The French attacker is renowned for his pace and is a strong dribbler capable of providing assists. 

Niang, who has scored three goals in 18 appearances this season, has also attracted the interest of West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Everton this month.

It seems inevitable Milan will move him before the transfer window shuts next week and it is now down to whether he wants to move to Vicarage Road.