Rumoured Watford target Kiko Femenia has denied signing a pre-contract agreement with the Hornets, as Valencia enter the race for the right-back's signature.

Over the weekend, the Alaves right-back told Radio Valencia signing a new deal with his current club would be his "first choice" for his future, and added he had not agreed a move to the Premier League next season.

The Hornets have been heavily linked with a move for the 26-year-old, who has been a late bloomer in Spanish football and whose contract expires in June.

Until 2015, he had played only one season of top-flight football, but has since blossomed at one-time UEFA Cup finalists Alaves.

He helped lead them to the Segunda Division last season, and has started 18 of their 24 La Liga games this season, including Saturday's 2-1 win over his new suitors Valencia.

In what may be a blow to Walter Mazzarri's hopes of signing the defender, Femenia admitted he was "flattered" to be linked with Los Che during the radio interview, and the ability to stay in his homeland may prove a decisive factor in negotiations.