Gianfranco Zola wants Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham target Troy Deeney to stay at Watford

GIANFRANCO ZOLA believes Troy Deeney will remain at Watford despite interest in the striker from Tottenham, West Ham and Fulham.

Share 0

By Nick Lustig/Published 17th August 2013

Deeney has started the season in fine form

Deeney, who scored 20 times for the Hornets last season, has begun the new campaign in explosive form netting a hat-trick last week in the 6-1 demolition of Bournemouth.

However the Watford boss is confident that the striker will stay at the club and insisted no bids have been made from the Premier League.

"There have been no bids as far as I know," Zola told the Watford Observer.

Deeney is attracting the interest of a number of Premier League clubs

The striker netted a hat-trick last week to add to his opening day winner at Birmingham

“He is a player who is doing well and there probably is interest in him”

Watford manager Gianfranco Zola

"I understand there will be speculation because he is a player who is doing well and there probably is interest in him.

"It is natural but I haven't heard any more than the rumours I have read in newspapers.

"As manager, I would of course like him to stay but should there be a bid, I'm sure there will be other things to consider. At the moment, it is difficult to comment.

"He is an important player in the team and I would like to keep him with us but we need to wait and see what happens."

Villas-Boas is weighing up a bid for the Championship striker

Jol is also looking at Deeney

As is West Ham manager Sam Allardyce

Deeney, who signed a new three-year deal at Vicarage Road in March, was watched last weekend by scouts from both Fulham and West Ham.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is currently weighing up a bid for the 25-year-old as he looks to add to his attacking options.

Villas-Boas broke the club's transfer record earlier this month with the £26m signing of Valencia striker Roberto Soldado.

Deeney has been identified as a possible replacement for Jermain Defoe, whose future at White Hart Lane remains uncertain with QPR boss Harry Redknapp keen to acquire the forward.

Defoe's future at White Hart Lane is uncertain

Redknapp wants to link up with the striker for the fourth time