Watford's pursuit of Adam Armstrong looks set to be over as the Rovers striker gears up for the start of the new season.

The Lancashire Telegraph has learned that Armstrong was on a long list of striking options earlier in the window but that any interest won't be pursued further.

Watford’s planning for their Premier League return is understood to be almost complete, with three attacking options already through the door this summer.

They include free agents Josh King and Ashley Fletcher, having left Everton and Middlesbrough respectively, as well as Emmanuel Dennis from Club Brugge for a fee in the region of £4m.

Captain Troy Deeney and last season’s star pairing Pedro and Ismaila Sarr head up their attacking options, while Andre Gray, whose name was linked as a possible addition in any swap deal, is also on the Hornets books, back at the club after his time away with Jamaica at the Gold Cup.

The transfer window closes at the end of the month, with Southampton's bid, understood to be in the region of £8m, the only offer to have been received so far.

Rovers are holding out for at least double that, even though Armstrong is heading into the final year of his contract, though his situation is further complicated by Newcastle United being due 40 per cent of any profit above the £1.75m he signed for.

Tony Mowbray revealed he had no guarantee of any funds from a possible sale being reinvested back into the team, however, he stated he would have ‘no issues’ in last season’s 29-goal top scorer leaving the club given his contribution over three-and-a-half years at Ewood Park.

Armstrong featured in four of Rovers’ five friendlies, missing the opener at AFC Fylde last month, and failed to find the back of the net.

Mowbray said after the 2-2 draw with Bolton that Armstrong wasn’t ‘on the button’, however there are no fears at the club about any potential dip in his performances once the season starts despite a move not yet being forthcoming.

A contract offer remains unsigned, with five Championship games to come before the window closes on August 31. Should Armstrong remain at Ewood Park then the next chance for the striker to move would be the January window, by which point he could start to discuss pre-contract agreements with other clubs.

However, to keep interest high, Armstrong, despite 46 goals across the last two seasons, will need to maintain his form if he is to pursue a move further down the line.

Rovers received a boost to their attacking options within the last week, with Ben Brereton and Tyrhys Dolan back in action for the last two games after injury, while Sam Gallagher came through 45 minutes at Bolton, his first game-time of the close season.