Reports from Nigeria have claimed that Watford were among the Premier League clubs interested in Super Eagles international Oghenekaro Etebo, only for the Feirense player to determine his future lay in the Championship with Stoke City instead.

The 22-year-old became Gary Rowett’s first signing following the Potters’ relegation but, crucially, the versatile midfielder penned a deal before impressing for a young Nigeria side at the World Cup.

It has been suggested the player had expressed reservations with what was being offered by Watford as a reported better wage packet elsewhere, combined with little assurances about his expected role, put him off a move to Vicarage Road.

Concerns about game time will not be seen as the boldest admission owing the plethora of midfield options at Javi Gracia’s disposal that might have seen Etebo relegated to the fringes of the Watford starting line-up.