Watford owner Gino Pozzo has claimed that the club were offered the chance to sign Victor Osimhen while the striker was at Charleroi.
Osimhen has just enjoyed his most successful individual campaign, with the striker netting 31 goals across all competitions and helping Napoli secure their first Serie A title in 33 years.
The Nigeria international joined Napoli in 2020 from Lille, but before then, the French side signed him from Charleroi.
Pozzo, 58, said: “We actually missed Osimhen, they (Charleroi) offered him to us and we didn’t take it.”
A number of clubs are said to admire Osimhen, with The Athletic reporting that Chelsea like the 24-year-old.
Real Madrid and Manchester United have also been linked with the player.
Osimhen previously stated in March that it would be a “dream” to play in the Premier League.
He said: “I’m working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League some day but like I said, it’s a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well.”
Watford, meanwhile, will be preparing for another season in the Championship after finishing 11th in 2022-23.