Watford could report Everton to the Premier League for possible tapping-up of head coach Marco Silva.

Hornets owner Gino Pozzo rejected the Merseysiders' approach for permission to discuss terms with Silva on Monday – and with no release clause in the coveted Portugese manager's two-year contract, Watford considered the matter closed.

But top brass at Vicarage Road were dismayed to note leaks revealing Silva could double his salary, and have a £70 million transfer kitty at his disposal at Goodison Park in January, if Watford agreed to a £8.5 million compensation package.

And there is a growing sense that Everton's pursuit of 40-year-old Silva, who has only been in charge of Watford for 12 games, has been way below the belt.

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Sources insist Pozzo has “absolutely no interest in any approach” for Silva – from Everton or elsewhere.

Despite a high turnover of managers on Pozzo's watch – nine in five-and-a-half years – none of Watford's changes have involved poaching a contracted coach employed by a rival club in mid-season.

(Image: Richard Heathcote)

After former England coach Sam Allardyce pulled out of the race, correctly interpreting Everton's dithering as an indication he was not their first choice to take over from Ronald Koeman, caretaker David Unsworth – one win in four matches holding the fort – is the bookies' new favourite.

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Allardyce was considered one of the favourites for the role, with the bookmakers making him one of the early front runners for the post.

But the former England boss has now revealed that he will not be heading to Goodison Park.

“It never materialised as I thought it would, unfortunately,” Allardyce told talkSPORT.

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(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

“For me such a long time without a decision, I had to make a decision myself.

“The decision was it was probably better it wasn’t me, and I’d move on to something else. It would have been a fabulous job, but it just didn’t feel right.

“I think when you’re sat in my position you want people to be decisive and feel like they want you. I didn’t get that feeling overall.

“They were hesitating that I was the man.”

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(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Everton, meanwhile, had made an approach for Watford boss Marco Silva.

They made contact with their Premier League rivals on Monday morning — but were given short shrift.

Sources at Vicarage Road insist owner Gino Pozzo has “absolutely no interest whatsoever” in entertaining any approach for 40-year-old Silva – and no further enquiry would be welcome.

(Image: PA Wire)

(Image: PA)

There is no release clause in Silva’s two-year contract, meaning Everton would have to offer a vast compensation package to tempt the Hornets to part company with their fiercely-ambitious Portuguese coach.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche also remains an option for Everton, while caretaker manager David Unsworth could still get the nod.