Watford are ready to ditch their pursuit of Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs due to his £16million valuation.

Marco Silva wants to add the England left-back to his squad before the transfer deadline but are refusing to match Arsenal’s asking price.

Gibbs is unlikely to play regularly this season and has less than 12 months on his current deal, meaning he can leave for nothing at the end of next season.

Watford will abandon their pursuit for Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs this summer

Nevertheless, Arsenal are still demanding a high price for Gibbs despite being deemed surplus to requirements.

Arsenal are have started a drive to offload a host of their fringe players in a bid to raise transfer funds and ease the burden on their wage bill.

The Hornets have been put off by the £16m valuation placed on the player by Arsenal

But - apart from the £10million departure of Wojciech Szczesny - their attempts have hit the skids due to players’ wage demands and Arsenal’s valuations.

Jack Wilshere, David Ospina, Carl Jenkinson, Lucas Perez, Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy can all leave the club this summer.

Meanwhile, Watford are interested in Feyenoord left-back Miquel Nelom.