Crystal Palace have failed with an offer for Watford midfielder Will Hughes.

The Sun says Palace had a £5million bid for Hughes rejected by Watford in a blow to Patrick Vieira's hopes of bolstering his midfield engine room.

Vieira is still keen to bring Hughes to Selhurst Park but the Eagles are refusing to spend a penny more to secure his services.

Palace were in talks to sign the midfielder earlier this week but the club have now seen their initial offer rejected.

Hughes has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Watford and could walk away for free at the end of the season.

The 26-year old has turned down the offer of a new two-year deal at Vicarage Road and as a result has been left out of first-team plans. He has been training with the club's Under-23s following his contract snub.