Real Zaragoza president Christian Laperta has claimed Watford have rejected a request to further extend the loan of striker Luis Suarez.

The Segunda Division side are hoping to hold on to the Colombian with their play-off matches further postponed by the coronavirus pandemic, but say the Hornets are not permitting the striker to stay with the club for the time being.

Speaking to CAR TV in Spain, Laperta said that Watford had refused to extend his loan at Zaragoza and that it was "an attack" on the competition's integrity.

“We received the news a few hours ago regarding Watford’s refusal to extend Luis Suárez’s loan contract beyond August 5th, despite the fact that the player wants to continue with us and play the play-offs,” he said.

“This is an attack on the integrity of the competition.

“Today we don’t know the date of the play-off or the rival, but Real Zaragoza is already affected.

“We want to win the promotion in the play-off, but we want to do it in equal conditions.

“Everything that isn’t a guarantee that Real Zaragoza can play with all its available staff will mean an adulteration of it.”

Suarez's loan was further extended until August 5, with the expectation that the play-offs would be completed by that date, but delays have been caused by Covid-19 outbreaks within the camps of teams involved, including Zaragoza.

The Watford Observer understands the two teams are still in discussion over a potential extension and that a decision has not been made either way yet. However the Hornets are keen to have Suarez as soon as possible and do not want to further delay his return.

The striker's future is yet to be decided and there is wide interest from elsewhere, including Barcelona, but he has been told he has a place at Watford next season should he want it.

A decision on where he will play his football next season is not expected to be made until his season at Zaragoza comes to an end.