Italian international defender Francesco Acerbi is attracting the interest of Watford bosses, according to reports. 

The two-cap Azzurri centre-half has been with Serie A side Sassuolo since leaving Genoa in 2013, and at 29 years old is already in the prime of his career.

The Hornets are said to be facing stiff competition from Everton and a number of other Premier League club's for Acerbi's signature, while Leicester City, who he nearly joined in January, are also expected to re-ignite their interest.

He won his first Italy cap in a friendly against Albania in 2014, and played the full 90 minutes as they lost 4-1 to Germany last March.