Watford

Watford
Watford club captain Sean Dyche has been told by manager Adrian Boothroyd that he can leave on a free transfer. The 33-year-old former Bristol City, Chesterfield and Millwall defender has been with the Hornets for three years and has 12 months left on his contract. But he said: "The manager has told me he wants to bring through some younger players and start building for the future, and I totally understand that. "He won't be able to guarantee me first-team football next season." Dyche has made 78 appearances for Watford but his last game was against the Lions on New Year's Day. "Although I do have another year, I'm at liberty to look elsewhere. Watford won't ask a fee for me if I do have the chance to move on. "I've really enjoyed my three seasons at the club, and it will be sad to leave, but I'm still feeling really fit and I still believe I have a lot to offer. "So hopefully I might fit the bill for a manager looking for an experienced defender."

Scarsella set for Watford stint
Young Barnsley goalkeeper David Scarsella will spend this week training with Watford. The former Australian schoolboy international has struggled to make an impact at Oakwell since signing from Adelaide City in July 2004. Despite being on the substitute's bench for most of this season, he has not yet played a first-team game for the Tykes. Barnsley caretaker boss Andy Ritchie said: "He will stay there until Friday. We will have to see what happens."

Defender Cullip back with Blades
Sheffield United central defender Danny Cullip has returned to the Blades after Watford opted not to make his loan move to Vicarage Road permanent. He played four games for the Hornets in the closing stages of the season. Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd told the club website: "Danny was what we needed on deadline day until the season's end. "I liked what he gave to the team but I will be looking for a slightly different type of player to take us into next season."

Helguson set to make Watford exit
Watford striker Heidar Helguson is set to leave the club after turning down the offer of a new three-year deal. The Icelandic international, 27, has been linked with Charlton, Stoke, West Ham, Leeds and Sheffield United. Helguson, who scored 20 goals last season for the Hornets, still has a year left on his existing contract. But the £1.5m signing from Lillestrom in January 2000 is believed to have demanded improved terms and now seems on the verge of leaving Vicarage Road.

Striker Webber seals Blades move
Sheffield United have agreed a £500,000 fee with Watford for Danny Webber. The striker, 23, scored three goals in seven appearances for the Blades after joining on loan in March. He scored 12 times for Watford before heading north. Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd has turned his attention to Swindon's Sam Parkin in the search for a replacement. He has made no secret of his interest in the prolific League One striker and has made a "substantial offer" in an effort to secure his services.

Hornets offer Helguson new deal
Watford have offered striker Heidar Helguson an extension to his existing contract on improved terms. The Icelandic international, 27, has attracted interest from a host of clubs, including Charlton, Stoke, West Ham, Leeds and Sheffield United. Helguson, who scored 20 goals last season for the Hornets, still has a year left on his existing contract. Watford also denied reports the £1.5m signing from Lillestrom in January 2000 had rejected a previous contract offer.

Swindon snub bids for star Parkin
Swindon have rejected bids from Crewe and Watford for striker Sam Parkin. The Hornets have already had one offer turned down for the prolific 24-year-old and returned with what they called a "substantial" second bid. But that and a verbal offer from Alex boss Dario Gradi have both been snubbed by the Robins, who hope to keep Parkin. The ex-Chelsea trainee has a year left on his current contract and the Swindon board are planning to speak to him when he returns from holiday in Australia.

Blades complete deal for Webber
Sheffield United have signed striker Danny Webber from Championship rivals Watford for £500,000. The 23-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Blades and has penned a three-year deal, after spending time on loan at Bramall Lane last season. "I've already found out what a great club this is and after seeing the calibre of the other signings I can't wait to get started again," he said. "I'm so pleased that Danny has finally signed," said manager Neil Warnock. Webber scored three goals in seven appearances for the Blades after joining on loan in March. He scored 12 times for Watford before heading north.

Sunderland fail in Helguson move
Watford have rejected a £1m bid from Premiership newcomers Sunderland for striker Heidar Helguson. Helguson scored 20 goals last season, including four in the last five matches as Watford avoided the drop. Hornets boss Adrian Boothroyd offered the Icelandic forward a new deal and have resisted the Black Cats' offer. Sunderland have had an offer accepted for Blackburn's Jon Stead and have failed in bids for Wolves' Kenny Miller and Ipswich's Darren Bent.

West Ham to enter Helguson race
West Ham are to enter the race to sign Watford's Iceland international striker Heidar Helguson, BBC Sport understands. Championship Watford have already rejected a £1m bid from Premiership newcomers Sunderland for Helguson. West Ham are expected to make a slightly improved offer on Sunderland's bid with Helguson, 27, believed to be keen to stay in London. Earlier on Friday Watford also turned down an offer in excess of £1m from Championship rivals Sheffield United. Helguson scored 20 goals last season, including four in the last five matches as Watford avoided the drop. He joined Watford for £1.5m from Lillestrom in January 2000 and still has a year left on his contract. West Ham are also contemplating making a move for another Icelandic international - Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson. The Icelandic defender was watched by West Ham last season.

Blades bid for Helguson rejected
Sheffield United have had a bid in excess of £1m rejected for Watford's Icelandic striker Heidar Helguson. Sunderland have also had an offer turned down, and BBC Sport understands newly-promoted West Ham will now enter the race for the 27-year-old. Helguson, who scored 20 goals last season, moved to Vicarage Road for £1.5m in January 2000. West Ham's Sergei Rebrov, meanwhile, may be offered the chance to return to former club Dynamo Kiev. Kiev president Ihor Surkis confirmed to newspaper Komanda that the forward, who will be out of contract this summer, is training at Dynamo. Surkis said: "Rebrov is in Kiev and was allowed to train at Dynamo's training base. However, it's a bit early to speak about his transfer." Rebrov formed an explosive attacking partnership with Andriy Shevchenko at Dynamo in the late 1990s. Rebrov moved to Tottenham for £11m in 2000, but never really found his goalscoring touch at White Hart Lane, and moved on to Fenerbahce in Turkey before joining West Ham, who won promotion to the Premiership by defeating Preston 1-0 in the play-off final. West Ham are also contemplating making a move for another Icelandic international - Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson. The Icelandic defender was watched by West Ham last season.

Blades waiting to hear on striker
Sheffield United are still hopeful of signing Watford striker Heidur Helguson after making a bid for the 27-year-old. Helguson has rejected the offer of a new contract with the Hornets and the Blades are still hoping to sign him. "We have made an offer to Watford for Helguson," said Blades chief executive Terry Robinson. "At this moment they have chosen not to act on it but the bid is still in," he added of the player who also attracted a bid from Premiership Sunderland.

Warnock angered by Watford action
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock is infuriated by the speed at which his £1.1m bid for Watford striker Heidar Helguson became public knowledge. "I assume they're hoping Spurs, West Ham or whoever come in with a bigger offer," he told the Sheffield Star. And the Blades boss is growing frustrated by general speculation linking him with a host of players. "It seems people are just using me," he added. "Every day there seems to be someone new coming to us." Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd is now bracing himself for the possible departure of the 27-year-old, with West Ham linked with a £1.2m move for the Iceland international. Boothroyd said: "Heidar is the type of person who wants to be as good as he can be. "If someone puts money on the table for him, I'm prepared for that. "If he stays it will be positive for us - but if he goes it can be positive as well."

Sir Elton makes gig money plea
Sir Elton John has suggested he wants money raised by Saturday's fund-raising concert for Watford to go to boss Adrian Boothroyd for player purchases. Drawing 23,000 fans, the concert raised £1.3m, money originally intended to fund Vicarage Road's £7.6m repurchase. Sir Elton has supported the Hornets nearly all of his life and was a former vice president and club chairman. Early on in the concert the singer said: "We've raised £1.3m, I want that money to be spent on players." Sir Elton also promised to play another fund-raising concert at Vicarage Road in 2007 to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Parkin will think over next move
Swindon striker Sam Parkin says he will take his time before deciding which Championship club to join this summer. Parkin revealed he has already spoken to Watford, while Ipswich, Norwich and Brighton have also tabled bids for the prolific 24-year-old marksman. "Things are a bit up in the air at the moment but I am hoping to speak to all interested parties," he told BBC Sport. "But it may take a few days and I will not make a hasty decision. I've waited a long time for this opportunity." Ipswich boss Joe Royle sees the former Chelsea trainee as the ideal replacement for top scorer Shefki Kuqi, who is set to leave Portman Road. Parkin scored 24 goals last season and Royle said: "Sam was top of our list if Shefki went. "But our interest is still very much at an early stage and beyond that I don't want to say too much. "The chairman is talking to Swindon and it is an ongoing situation, but by the end of the week I hope to have a much clearer idea of our strikeforce for next season." Parkin, who turned down a new two-year contract with the Robins last week, has just returned from a three-week holiday in Australia but says his transfer was never far from his mind. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been thinking about it," he added. "The idea was to have a break and get away from it all but I spent the majority of time either on the phone or the internet trying to keep up with developments back home."

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