The Hornets are considering a move for former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, the Watford Observer understands.

Frimpong is currently unattached after his short-term deal with relegated Barnsley ended.

The Golden Boys are keen to add a defensive midfielder to their squad, along with another attack-minded centre midfielder and a home-grown goalkeeper.

We understand Frimpong, who has a cap for Ghana, is one of several players the club are looking at for the holding role.

The 22-year-old joined Arsenal at the age of nine and made 16 competitive first team appearances for the club.

Frimpong had five outings on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2012 before his season was ended due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which was the second time he had suffered the problem.

The Ghanaian-born player spent the 2012/13 campaign on loan at Charlton Athletic and then Fulham, making six appearances at both clubs.

He joined Barnsley in January on a permanent deal until the end of the season but only made nine outings and didn't feature in the final month of the campaign. Frimpong was sent off on his Barnsley debut for two yellow cards and received an additional four in his nine run-outs for the club.