Everton locked in compensation battle with Watford as club close in on appointing Marco Silva

Watford filed an official complaint to the Premier League earlier this year over what they saw as an ‘illegal approach’ for Silva from Everton last October

Marco Silva has been lined up for the Everton job (Getty Images)

Everton and Watford are still locked in compensation negotiations over tapping up Marco Silva even as Everton close in on appointing the Portuguese manager as Sam Allardyce’s replacement.

Watford filed an official complaint to the Premier League earlier this year over what they saw as an ‘illegal approach’ for Silva from Everton last October. Everton wanted Silva to replace Ronald Koeman, and Silva wanted to go, but the clubs could never agree a deal. Watford’s season was destabilised, and they eventually sacked Silva on 21 January, replacing him with Javi Gracia. Watford believe this entitles them to compensation.

The Premier League suggested mediation between the two clubs and when Keith Harris and Bill Kenwright met Watford officials in London last month, they said that Silva would not be appointed as the next Everton manager.

No compensation package was agreed between the two clubs and if nothing is agreed then the Premier League will step in and could decide a punishment. If Silva is appointed the next manager at Goodison Park, as is expected, then Watford’s compensation claim would be further strengthened, especially given Everton’s recent assurances that it would not happen.

Meanwhile Silva and Watford are still involved in their own legal process over whether Silva breached his Watford contract, which is being mediated by the League Managers Association. But that process will not slow down Everton’s attempts to appoint Silva as their manager.