Watford have received "a tentative approach" from a party interested in a takeover, the Championship club's board have confirmed.

However, the play-off chasers have denied that any formal offer has been made or is imminent.

A Hornets statement read: "The board confirms that it is in very preliminary discussions which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company.

"There is no certainty that any offer will be forthcoming."

However, a takeover seems some way off, with Watford chairman Graham Simpson insisting that no discussions had taken place.

But, with the club due to repay a �5.1m bank loan within 12 months and promotion to the Premier League by no means a certainty, he admitted he would welcome fresh investment.

Simpson told the Watford Observer: "I can categorically say we have had no discussions with any investor.

"I wish we had an offer that was good and I could consider. I have always said I would welcome it.

606: DEBATE Would a takeover be good for Watford?

"If an opportunity came along, someone with deep pockets who was prepared to take this club forward, then I think it is worth considering.

"I would gladly stand down and go back to being a fan on the terraces. At this moment in time we have nothing.

"We are looking for other non-executive directors and other investors. We have had conversations but we've not met an investor yet.

"I would like to do that because I'd like to tell them what a brilliant club this is and how well we are doing."