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Watford chairman Scott Duxbury has revealed the club has already rejected interest in Socceroos star Nestory Irankunda, insisting another season in England remains the best option for the 20-year-old\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
Irankunda remains a Watford player despite reports suggesting he was closing in on a move to Portuguese powerhouse Sporting CP.<\/p>\n
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Speaking publicly about the transfer interest surrounding the Australian, Duxbury confirmed the club had spoken directly with Irankunda and remains determined to keep him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe spoke to him [Irankunda] and we still think staying here is the best thing for his career,\u201d Duxbury said on the Championship side\u2019s official podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cWe all want him and all of our players to play at the highest level \u2013 because we\u2019re achieving our objectives then. They\u2019ve been successful, we\u2019ve been successful.<\/p>\n \u201cI still think with him, at least another season with us can help achieve his objectives.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t want to lose any of the four wingers. The market is what the market is, and I can\u2019t guarantee what will happen, but if something does happen then it means we have the funds to improve.<\/p>\n \u201cBut our intention, as it stands now, is that all four stay, because we truly believe that it\u2019s in their best interests.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n FOOTBALL\u2019S LATEST: FIFA\u2019s $29bn bombshell<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n FIFA V UEFA: \u2018Not yours to sell\u2019<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019ve knocked back the interest so far and hopefully that will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n The four wingers Duxbury was referring to are Irankunda, Othmane Maamma, Kwadwo Baah and Rocco Vata, who have all attracted interest during the transfer window.<\/p>\n Irankunda had been expected to join Sporting in a deal reportedly worth up to \u20ac20 million ($32.5 million AUD).<\/p>\n The Socceroos attacker has also been linked with newly promoted Premier League side Hull City, Everton, Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, Serie A club Fiorentina and West Ham.<\/p>\n Joao Pedro hat-trick sinks Wanderers | 00:29<\/p>\n Reports had suggested Irankunda had his heart set on a move to Sporting after removing any trace of Watford from his social media accounts, but Dowling claims the youngster is happy to be back at the club.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been some interest in Nestory, which I think the club has done great in knocking back,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe came back from a positive World Cup and he\u2019s delighted to be here. The smile\u2019s back on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have four great wingers in Maamma and Vata on the left and there\u2019s obviously Baah and Nestory on the right side, which offers us pace, skill, goals, assists.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the midfield behind them backing that up, that should be a real strength of ours going forwards.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite Watford\u2019s public stance, there could still be more twists to come in the Irankunda transfer saga.<\/p>\n Portuguese outlet Record<\/a> claims talks between Watford and Sporting remain ongoing, although the Lisbon club reportedly does not intend to increase the offer already on the table.<\/p>\n However, according to Football 360<\/a>, Watford is attempting to increase the value of the performance-related bonuses included in the deal as negotiations continue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n