Watford owner Gino Pizzo has revealed that the newly-promoted Hornets will not be signing Davide Santon from Inter Milan this summer.
The two clubs had reached an agreement on the defender's transfer, but the former Newcastle United player wants to stay in Italy.
Last month Santon played down reports linking him with a move back to the Premier League, and now Pozzo has confirmed that the deal is off.
"I can say that the deal is now off the table and negotiations will not continue," Pozzo told FCInterNews.it. "I see no particular enthusiasm in the lad, despite all the time that we gave him to reflect and evaluate the deal."
Pozzo also revealed that Watford might now try to prise midfielder Saphir Taider away from the Nerazzurri.
"For the time being it's a possibility that we are all evaluating," Pozzo added. "We do like the player."
Watford begin their first Premier League season in eight years with a trip to Everton on Saturday, August 8.
Pascal Lemesre
