Fortuna Dusseldorf coach Friedhelm Funkel is backing Dodi Lukebakio for success with Hertha Berlin.

Watford, according to BILD, have received an offer for Lukebakio from Hertha after the attacking midfielder spent last season on-loan with Fortuna Dusseldorf.

It was with Fortuna Dusseldorf where Lukebakio established his reputation as one of the brightest young midfield talents playing in Germany last season. His form has brought him to the attention of Michael Preetz, the Hertha sporting director, who is now working on bringing Lukebakio back to the Bundesliga for the new campaign. A fee of €20m has been mentioned.

For Funkel, such a move would be just reward for Lukebakio.

He told BILD: "Hertha is a well-established club that now has the opportunity to make such a transfer. It would be good if he does not go straight to a top club, where he gets no match practice.

"He wanted to play in the Champions League. But at Hertha he would be used regularly at a high level. Thats more important."

Lukebakio made a big impact at Fortuna Dusseldorf last season - on and off the pitch.

And Funkel admit he loved working with the 21 year-old, the coach also revealing they had to keep the player's poor time-keeping out of the local media.

"He was a great guy with us, who was a lot of fun. He took his duties seriously. I just hope he does not live so far away from the stadium.

"In Dusseldorf it happened to him a lot (being late). Berlin is a bit bigger, I know the city yes. He always likes to come at the last minute. I do not know if he will find another good team to keep that secret."

Lukebakio is currently training with Watford as he waits for developments on Hertha's move.

- updated July 29