Watford have decided their asking price for Newcastle United target Adrian Mariappa.

The Evening Chronicle says Watford are understood to want £4m for defender Mariappa.

Newcastle's initial bid was rejected by the Hornets, with their owner Laurence Bassini claiming they are no longer a "soft touch" when it comes to transfers. Bassini said: "If people want to show serious interest in one of our players then for me that means the kind of offer this club could not refuse.

"I have talked previously about how I thought Watford were viewed as a soft touch by some. Well not any more."