Watford are being linked with moves for two Premier League central defenders.

Reports claim the Hornets are in talks to sign Southampton’s Jack Stephens and Kortney Hause from Aston Villa.

However, the Watford Observer understands any discussions would be on the basis of seeking to reach an agreement for a loan signing.

Stephens, who is under contract until June 2024, has scored four goals in 122 league appearances for the Saints and the 28-year-old has come off the bench in their opening two Premier League games against Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United.

Hause has yet to feature for Villa since the current campaign got underway, having made 43 appearances since moving from Wolves, initially on loan before the move was made permanent in June 2019.

The Watford Observer has previously reported the Hornets are seeking a left-footed centre-half and Hause would fit that bill.

Rob Edwards admitted yesterday that signing such a player was still a possibility, but he is happy with the options he currently has available.

He said: “We’re aware that we don’t have that left side, that balance, at the moment. It is something we’re still talking about. It’s not an area that I’m all out every day focusing on because I like what we have, but it is an area that we’re aware of and to have that balance would be good.

“It’s something that I’m talking about with the club as it could be an area we’re looking to do, but if we don’t I’m very happy with what we’ve got because we’ve already shown we can defend.”