Watford are in talks with ex-Udinese sporting director Cristiano Giaretta regarding the same role at Vicarage Road, the Watford Observer understands.

Last night it emerged that the club had spoken to former Italian international striker, Cristiano Lucarelli about the position earlier this week, but it now looks as if they are heading in a different direction with the appointment.

Giaretta, who most recently worked for CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria, has also held positions at Ascoli and Novara, where he is widely credited with discovering Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

He spent three years at Udinese between 2013 and 2016.

Should he be appointed, it is expected that he will be replacing Eric Roy, the current sporting director.