Guangzhou playmaker Alessandro Diamanti has emerged as a transfer target for English Premier League side Watford.
The Italian was on loan with Fiorentina for the second half of last season, and all news thus far had indicated that the Viola were in pole position to retain the player, but that stance has been challenged by Watford’s interest.
Watford are ready to offer the 32-year-old a return to England’s top flight, report La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Diamanti was a fan favourite during his one-year stint with West Ham in the 2009-10 season, being voted as the runner-up in the club player of the year competition.
Watford have already added a former Serie A player to their ranks this summer, coming through the signing of Jose Holebas from Roma, and have also been linked with ambitious moves for Napoli pair Dries Mertens and Gokhan Inler, in addition to Seydou Doumbia.
Diamanti netted two goals during his loan spell at Fiorentina last term.
