Slavisa Jokanovic admits he does not make the final decision on transfers at Watford and says that responsibility is left to “the top of the club”.

The January transfer window opens in less than two weeks and the Hornets hierarchy has already outlined the areas they want to improve.

Defender Sebastien Bassong and midfielder Adlene Guedioura’s loan deals at Watford expire next month.

Guedioura’s loan is not expected to be renewed but Jokanovic wants to keep Bassong at Vicarage Road.

However, he accepts the final decision is not down to him. 

Jokanovic explained: “I am not the typical manager here. I do not have the money in my pocket to spend. This is very clear.

“My job is to recommend players and explain what I think the team needs. I can recommend some players but the last word is from the top of the club.

“I am not a manager who has the opportunity to buy what I want.”

When asked about the possibility of keeping Bassong at the club, Jokanovic added: “He is a very important player for us and I don’t want to lose him.

“He is a very professional football player, has a good personality and is a leader in the dressing room.

“I am scared I am very soon going to lose him and not be able to work with him. It is players like him who I think I might lose.

“I hope he can stay with us for many months but it is looking a little difficult for us at the moment.”

While the Hornets will look to keep Bassong, they will allow midfielder Lewis McGugan – who is on loan at Sheffield Wednesday – and forward Diego Fabbrini to leave Vicarage Road if they receive acceptable offers for the duo in January.

Striker Mathias Ranegie is back at Watford but can’t play for the Golden Boys due to the terms of his loan deal at Millwall, which expires on January 1. The Hornets have no plans to loan him out next month.

Watford have been linked with moves for Swedish midfielder Melker Hallberg, who plays for fellow Pozzo-owned club Udinese, and Boca Juniors’ left-back Emanuel Insua. However, both moves look unlikely. 

The Hornets have a key group of staff that discuss footballing matters which include the head coach and his staff, sporting director Luke Dowling, chief scout Filippo Giraldi and Gino Pozzo. Chief executive Scott Duxbury is also among those consulted.

Jokanovic is certain the players who do arrive next month will improve his squad.

He said: “People in the club know more or less what the team needs to be more competitive.

“At the moment we haven’t decided 100 per cent who these new players will be.

“We can be better though and have a stronger squad to what we have now.”

He added: “I don’t know where the players will come from. We are at Watford and you know our style in how we find our players.

“No matter where the players arrive from I expect them to be quality and professional players who can help us in the battle we are in now."