Watford believe their case for multi-million pound compensation over the tapping-up row involving Marco Silva has been strengthened by Everton’s decision to confirm him as their new manager. Silva will be ‘unveiled’ at a press conference on Monday.

A second round of mediation between the two Premier League clubs is scheduled for next month with Watford demanding substantial damages from Everton for their interest in Silva when he was their head coach.

Everton wanted him to succeed Ronald Koeman when he was dismissed in November before hiring Sam Allardyce and had been prepared to pay Watford more than £10 million in compensation at that time to release Silva from his two-year contract, which did not have a break clause, but that was rejected.

Silva was sacked by Watford in January with the club claiming Everton’s alleged illegal approach for the Portuguese destabilised their season and eventually led to his dismissal.

Watford continue to claim that Silva was ‘tapped up’ by Everton and that the 40 year-old being appointed this week amounts to cause and effect, escalating the situation further. Everton have declined to comment.