UDINESE, Pozzo family -" Watford FC: No deal yet"

© foto di Daniele Buffa/Image Sport

Italian investors confirm Watford takeover has not been signed.

Watford's future remains in the balance after the Pozzo family released a statement claiming a takeover deal is not yet finalised.

Watford officially confirmed on Monday that a deal has been agreed in principle for the Pozzo family to purchase the Championship club from current owner Laurence Bassini.

The Pozzo family already own Serie A side Udinese and Primera Liga outfit Granada, and are now believed to be ready to take a stake in English football.

Reports in Italy indicated that the new owners intend to install former West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola as the Hornets' manager to replace Sean Dyche.

But the Pozzo family have released a counter-statement via Udinese's official website clarifying their position and explaining that, while there is interest, no contract has been signed at this point.

Tuesday's statement read: "The Pozzo family wish to clarify that any news and rumours regarding the transfer of ownership of Watford FC should be considered premature at the moment, given that although there is concrete interest, the nature of the deal has not been concluded with both parties' signatures on the contracts."