Xisco Munoz's Watford side are considering a move for Gael Kakuta this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that the Hornets, as well as Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Fulham, are closely monitoring the RC Lens attacking midfielder ahead of a potential move in the upcoming transfer window.

It is then reported that the Ligue 1 side, who are only signing the 29-year-old on a permanent deal themselves this summer, would be looking for a fee of around €10 million (£8.6 million) in order to part with the DR Congo international.

Generational talent

While it would be a fair assessment to make that Kakuta has not quite lived up to the expectations one might assign to a footballer who remains Chelsea's youngest ever player to feature in the Champions League, as well as one who was dubbed by a highly experienced scout as the "most gifted player of his generation" when he was just 16 years of age, the midfielder has nevertheless impressed this season for Lens.

Over his 33 league appearances for Franck Haise's side, Kakuta has scored 11 goals, registered five assists and has created a whopping 13 big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.5 key passes and taking 1.5 shots per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 7.05 - ranking him as the club's second-best performer in the French top flight.

When comparing these returns to those of the Watford players this season, only Ismaila Sarr's haul of 17 direct involvements with goals scored betters Kakuta's return of 16, demonstrating just how much the Hornets are in need of a midfielder with both the creativity and clinical edge of the 29-year-old, particularly when considering the step up in level the club are about to face following their promotion to the Premier League.

As such, Cristiano Giaretta should be doing everything he can to ensure that Watford win the race to sign the former Chelsea man this summer, and, with the Lens star available for a reported fee of just £8.6 million, this particular race is likely to be one that is very hotly contested.

In other news: Watford suffer huge blow in pursuit of "talented" £25k-p/w gem, Giaretta will be livid - opinion