Premier League: Watford sign Andre Gray

Watford have broken their transfer record to sign striker Andre Gray from Burnley, the transfer fee is believed to be around 18.5 million pounds. The Hornets had two previous offers for Gray, both rejected by Burnley. The 26-year-old striker signed a five-year contract with Watford. His contract with Burnley was set to expire next summer and he turned down the extension offers. Gray scored nine goals last season but missed four matches following a ban for homophobic tweets. Andre Gray joined Burnley from Brentford for 9 million pounds in 2015 and was an important part of the team that won the Championship in 2016 and earned promotion to the Premier League. Watford's previous transfer record was set last summer when they signed forward Roberto Pereyra from Juventus. Gray is the ninth signing of the summer for Watford, who have already brought in Tom Cleverley from Everton, Will Hughes from Derby, Kiko Femenia from Alaves, Daniel Bachmann from Stoke, Nathaniel Chalobah from Chelsea, Richarlison from Fluminense, Harvey Bradbury from Portsmouth and Sam Howes from West Ham. Andre Gray has scored 33 goals in his two seasons with Burnley, including 9 Premier League goals in 26 games. At Brentford, he had scored 20 goals in 52 games. West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur were also interested in signing the striker, but he probably would have had less chances to play at those two clubs. Watford are hoping to keep fellow striker and captain Troy Deeney at the club as Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion are reportedly interested in signing him. Watford are 66/1 at Bet365 to clinch a top-six Premier League finish next season.