Paris Saint-Germain dealt blow in pursuit of £50m-rated Premier League midfielder

Paris Saint-Germain have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Premier League midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, claims the London Evening Standard.

Doucoure has emerged as a top transfer target for the Ligue 1 champions this month but Watford have no interest in selling their best midfielder midway through the season.

Reports emerged at the end of last month claiming PSG had already agreed personal terms with the £50m-rated Watford ace but the Hornets will not entertain talks with their French counterparts.

PSG are on the market for a new central midfielder after confirming Adrien Rabiot will leave the club when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Watford only paid £8m to sign Doucoure from Rennes in 2015 and stand to make a huge profit on the 26-year-old, whose current deal is not due to expire until 2023.

Doucoure was immense for Watford last season and was even linked with a summer move to Chelsea and Manchester United before pledging his long-term future to the club.

Not only has Doucoure played a direct hand in 18 goals in the Premier League since the start of last season (10 goals, eight assists), he has also won possession in the middle third the most in that time (284).