Watford are growing confident of manager Marco Silva's commitment after learning of his house-hunting in Hertfordshire.

The Mirror says Silva is No.1 target to replace the sacked Ronald Koeman and Everton made two approaches for the Portuguese, which were both rejected.

Watford have always maintained they would not accept any offers for the 40-year-old, who has no release clause in his contract.

Silva is understood to have bid for a property in nearby Radlett — a sign he intends to stay until the summer at least.

He said on Thursday: “Everyone at Watford knows how hard I work – 100 per cent every day – and nothing has changed.

“I can't control the speculation from outside and the only way we can prove our commitment is on the pitch."