WATFORD are hoping to succeed where Chelsea failed – by landing Croatia’s brilliant teenage goalkeeper Adrian Semper.

SunSport can reveal the Hornets are close to agreeing a £2.65million deal to land the outstanding Dinamo Zagreb youngster, in preparation for a move to Vicarage Road in January.

5 Adrian Semper is set to join Watford for £2.75million Credit: AFP - Getty

However, the Premier League surprise packets face stiff competition from big-spending Germans RB Leipzig, who are also understood to be negotiating with Dinamo in a bid to hijack the deal.

Hornets boss Marco Silva is a huge fan of Semper.

The 19-year-old is widely regarded as one of Europe’s top young prospects and has already made more than 70 senior appearances in Croatia, where he has also gained Champions League experience.

Semper’s parent club Dinamo Zagreb loaned their towering young talent out to their satellite club Lokomotiva Zagreb this season to give him regular game-time and the youngster has seized the opportunity with both hands.

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5 Semper in action during a Champions League clash with Lyon Credit: AFP - Getty

5 Marco Silva is poised to land the Croatian starlet Credit: Reuters

Silva is keen to reach an agreement now with a view to bringing Semper to England in January but must win a straight fight with wealthy RB Leipzig - backed by energy drinks giants Red Bull.

Semper has been known to top Prem clubs for some time and Chelsea thought they had struck a deal for him last season, when the Blues’ former technical director Michael Emenalo flew to Zagreb with a £1.9m offer.

The London giants were alerted to Semper after he starred against Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the Uefa Youth League.

But Emanelo left empty-handed despite making a final, improved offer, of around £3m for the youngster.

5 Semper stretches ahead of a clash in Sevilla last season Credit: AFP - Getty

5 Heurelho Gomes has signed a fresh deal but is now 37 years old Credit: Reuters

However, the Hornets are hopeful they can succeed where Chelsea - who parted company with Emanelo this week - failed last year.

Veteran keeper Heurelho Gomes put pen to paper on a new two-year-deal recently.

But the Brazilian turns 37 in February and Silva wants a long-term solution who will push Watford’s No.1 immediately.