Bursaspor manager Samet Aybaba has confirmed the club are interested in Watford striker Stefano Okaka, but admits forcing a deal could prove testing.

The Italian looked to force a move away from the Vicarage Road club in the January transfer window and played just 16 times across the course of last season.

He was all but discarded by Marco Silva but grew in prominence under Javi Gracia in the second half of the season, with the Spaniard valuing Okaka’s physicality in attack.

However, a move away could still be on the cards and Aybaba confirmed Burspaspor are working towards bringing the 28-year-old to Turkey.

“Such transfers are difficult,” he said when quizzed on a move for Okaka. “There is a certain process, the footballer has to feel seriously interested.

“We have to go through the stages, these are not immediate ones and we will do the necessary interventions. There are negotiations.”

Okaka’s lack of game time was a constant reason for annoyance among Watford fans last season after he started the campaign in flying fashion with a goal on the opening day.

That strike in a 3-3 draw with Liverpool proved to be the only time he registered throughout 2017/18, but Okaka was a useful presence in attack when called upon.

He looked to have moved above Andre Gray in the attacking pecking order late in the campaign and was coupled with Troy Deeney in attack on occasion.

With few attacking options, Okaka departing would likely mean Watford would have to sign attacking reinforcements before the summer window closes.