Watford will now not pursue a move for Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs despite media reports in the past month that have heavily linked him with a transfer to Vicarage Road, the Watford Observer understands.

The 27-year-old, capped 10 times by England, has been something of a peripheral figure at the Emirates in recent years with injuries and competition restricting him to just 137 Premier League appearances for the club.

With just a year to run on his current deal, Arsenal have made it clear they are prepared to let the Lambeth-born defender leave if a club meets their valuation believed to be in the region of £14-16 million.

Any business was on the cards with Arsenal presumably keen to cash in now rather than risking letting him walk away for nothing in a year’s time.

West Brom also registered an interest in the left-back before seeing a £10 million bid turned down by the Gunners who were holding out for a bigger fee, a decision that saw Tony Pulis’ side end their pursuit - for now at least.

The Hornets’ recruitment this summer has involved stocking up on British players, with Gibbs appearing to be both an upgrade on incumbent Jose Holebas while simultaneously complementing the arrivals of midfielders Tom Cleverley, Will Hughes and Nathaniel Chalobah.

And it seems Watford are the latest to pull out a deal for a player hotly linked with a move to Vicarage Road, with the club dissuaded from stumping up the necessary funds to secure a move. Any potential swoop in this window now looks dead in the water.

Marco Silva’s side have also been linked with a move for another Arsenal outcast, Carl Jenkinson, in the national press this summer as Arsene Wenger attempts to cash in on some of his fringe players deemed surplus to requirements.

That move though looks a long-shot with Watford well stocked on the right-side of defence, following the arrival of Kiko Femenia to add the club’s first choice, Daryl Janmaat.