Valencia are communicating with Watford over the Hornets' pursuit of defender Aymen Abdennour, the player's agent has confirmed.

Reports earlier in the day of interest from the Vicarage Road club in the 27-year-old are accurate, although his representative, Abdelkader Jilani, said any transfer was far from a done deal.

The Tunisian international has rapidly emerged as one of Marco Silva's prime targets, despite being well stocked at the heart of his defence, and raising questions over whether another defender will be moved out to accommodate his arrival.

Jilani told the Watford Observer the two clubs were in "discussions" over the future of Abdennour, but that it was only "possible" he could leave for Hertfordshire.

The defender has been capped 54 times by his country, and has Champions League experience with Monaco, famously helping them to victory over Arsenal in the 2014/15 second round.

It was at that club that he was previously linked with Premier League moves to the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, since a summer 2015 move to Spain, he has fallen down the pecking order at the Mestalla, and made only nine La Liga starts last season.

But sports journalist Francisco Orti, a writer for El Desmarque in Valencia, thinks Abdennour is capable of putting that disappointment behind him and making a success of a move to England.

He said: "Aymen did a great job in Monaco, but not so well with Valencia.

"His main problem is with the ball at his feet - he has problems passing the ball, and often loses it.

"But in my opinion he can do well in Premier League. He is very strong physically and good in the air."