Watford are reportedly leading the race to sign €15 million rated forward Gregoire Defrel.

The 26-year-old joined Roma on loan from Sassuolo last summer but has failed to make an impression for this season’s beaten Champions League semi-finalists.

Edin Dzeko’s form – the Bosnian netted 26 goals in all competitions as Roma finished third in Serie A – saw Defrel used sparingly.

The Frenchman’s 20 appearances for the Stadio Olimpico side have yielded just one goal, making it hard to propose an argument to suggest he would alleviate Watford’s own woes in front of goal.

His solitary strike came from the penalty spot as he netted in the 90th minute of a 5-2 defeat of Benevento in February.

The Hornets are likely to be on the lookout for a striker this summer after Troy Deeney, Stefano Okaka and Andre Gray all toiled to find form in the 2017/18 season.

The trio managed just 12 goals between them and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s place at the top of Watford’s goal scoring charts was indicative of the Hornets troubles.

Defrel’s record at Sassuolo provides more encouragement and he found the net 20 times in 62 league outings to attract the attention of Roma.

Were Watford to pursue a deal to bring Defrel to Vicarage Road this summer, they are likely to face competition from both Italy and England.

Torino are said to be keen on the former Parma and Cesena man, while newly-promoted Wolves are also monitoring his situation.