Abdoulaye Doucoure can fulfil European dream at Watford, says Javi Gracia

Abdoulaye Doucoure should resist a summer switch to the Premier League's top six and stay at Watford, says boss Javi Gracia.

Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with the Frenchman who has impressed at Vicarage Road this season.

Doucoure, 25, admitted earlier this week that it would be a dream to play for Liverpool and feature in the Champions League.

But Gracia believes the midfielder should complete his ambitions by helping Watford's drive towards European football next season.

"Doucoure is playing for a very big team, playing in the Premier League and in the future I would like him to play with Watford in Europe," Gracia said.

"Maybe in the future he can play with other big clubs who play in the Champions League.

"But what I feel at this moment is that all of our players are proud to belong at this club. They are concentrated on the next match and trying to put the team as high in the table as possible."

Doucoure has missed only one Premier League match for the Hornets this season.

The 25-year-old, however, has less than two years on his current deal and after failing to negotiate terms on a new contract there is a concern that he will be sold in the summer.

Unsurprisingly, Gracia wants the former Rennes midfielder to stay put, but revealed his uncertain future will be resolved at the end of the season.

"I don't know his situation at the moment," Gracia added. "He feels happy playing for Watford, and I wish he will play with us for a long time, but the player decides what is best for his future.

"Doucoure knows he is important, not for me, but for the club and his team-mates. I am only focused on the next seven games and I am sure Doucoure will help us with his best attitude until the end of the season.

"Then we will see what happens, but I would like for him to stay with us for a long time."