Watford head coach Gianfranco Zola has not ruled out making a move for Nathaniel Chalobah after the Hornets missed out on Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tom Carroll.

Zola has stated previously he would like to bring another defensive midfielder to the club in order to support Iriney.

Watford hoped that would be Carroll but the England Under-21 international opted to join Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers on transfer deadline day.

The Hornets boss admitted there was “genuine interest” in bringing the Watford-born midfielder to the club and added: “We were interested in him, yes. But we are not a team that can offer the type of wages QPR are offering right now.

“We have to try and compete in other ways. We tried to use those other ways but they were not enough.”

The loan window reopens on Monday and a move for Chalobah is a possibility. He spent last season on loan at Vicarage Road and the 18-year-old midfielder’s mature performances played an important role in helping the Hornets reach the play-off final.

Chelsea hoped to loan him to a Premier League club this season but he remains with the Blues and looks set for another spell in the Championship.

When asked if there was a chance Chalobah could return to Vicarage Road, Zola said: “We are still looking for players.

“We will see if there is anything and we will need to work on that. It is the same as Tom Carroll, we will try and attract the players with what we can offer.

“We can’t offer what other clubs can offer in terms of money but I think we can attract players. Nathaniel knows what we are and Chelsea know the type of work we do.

“We can still give Nathaniel something to help him develop. So I am relying on this and we’ll see what we can do.”

While Zola would like to add another midfielder to the squad, he insisted a move will only be made if it will make the team stronger.

He added: “We are not struggling so we will see what we can do. If we can’t improve the team then we will stay the way we are.”

Transfer deadline day passed quietly for the Hornets. There was little speculation linking players with moves in or out of the club, although national media reported Newcastle United had made an enquiry for goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, who is currently on international duty with England's Under-21s.

While Zola didn’t comment on whether an enquiry had been made, he said he is pleased with Bond’s progression at Watford.

He said: “We want to keep Jonathan and he is the future of this club. I am pleased to see that he keeps progressing and that is a very good thing.

“There were some players who have been linked with other clubs, some was speculation and some was genuine interest.

“But fortunately for me and for the club everyone stayed and we can look forward to finishing this season properly.”