There was no role for Mogi Bayat in Watford’s decision making during the summer transfer window, and that will not change when the January window arrives.

That was the very firm message from head coach Valerien Ismael, who elaborated on the explanation he gave the Watford Observer earlier this week about how the club had worked through the summer - which included him turning down the chance to sign Emmanuel Dennis, a client of Bayat.

Reports had suggested that Bayat worked with Ismael, owner Gino Pozzo, chairman Scott Duxbury and sporting director Cristian Giaretta to make decisions on which players were signed.

“No, that is simply not the case,” said Ismael.

“Mogi Bayat is an agent, just like many other agents. You cannot make deals in our world without agents – every player has an agent.

“Sometimes there are agents needed to work through some other elements of deals too. There is nothing wrong with working with agents.

“But I can give you an example of how we worked with Mogi Bayat.

“At some point during the summer transfer window, Mogi came with the name of a number nine – a different player, not Emmanuel Dennis.

“I spoke with that player, but my feeling was to so say no, so we said no. He was not the right player for the club so we didn’t take the player.

“Yes, we will talk with agents, that is normal. But at the end of the day I will take the final decision with the board.

“If my feelings are that the player we are considering is not the right player for us, then I will say so.”

Will that be the same position with Bayat as the clock ticks towards the opening of the January transfer window?

“Yes, because he is just an agent,” said Ismael.