Relegated outfit Watford will be desperate to get themselves back to the Premier League at the first time of asking next season, their top priority after failing to remain afloat in the top tier.

Despite this obvious priority, manager Rob Edwards will be looking to build something for the long term as they look to remain in the top flight for the long term and avoid the label of being a yo-yo side.

Major surgery may be needed though considering how poor Roy Hodgson's reign was at Vicarage Road - and the appointment of Edwards should help to bring a much-needed fresh approach.

They face the prospect of losing a couple of key players over the summer though, a factor that will make their recruitment strategy crucial as they potentially look to fill gaps and add fresh blood in their quest to adapt to the Edwards era.

Now the 2021/22 campaign has officially concluded after yesterday's Championship play-off final, we discuss eight transfer scenarios that might play out for the Hornets this summer.

It looked inevitable that Ismaila Sarr would leave the club in the summer of 2020 when they were relegated - but the Senegalese remained at Vicarage Road and played a huge part in getting them back to the top tier.

Scoring five goals and recording two assists in 22 league appearances during 2021/22, that sort of record may not earn him a major move away, but he would have made more of an impact if he'd had more game time under his belt.

Having two years left on his contract, the Hornets may choose this summer as the ideal time to cash in on the 24-year-old because the next few months may be their last chance to generate a considerable fee for his services.

According to his agent, he is available for transfer during the upcoming window and if a reasonable bid is submitted, it would be difficult to see the club rejecting it.

Daniel Bachmann has been linked with a move to Premier League outfit Manchester United recently, potentially coming in as a backup to David De Gea with Dean Henderson being strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

In the end, this move may depend on the Austrian who could potentially be one of the first names on the teamsheet at Vicarage Road next season, especially with his side returning to the second tier.

However, the lure of top-tier wages and a potential chance to pull on the United shirt during cup competitions could be a real temptation for the 27-year-old who found himself behind Ben Foster in the pecking order for much of the 2021/22 season.

Being a backup option didn't seem to faze him - but Henderson's departure may need to happen before he comes in.

With Foster being released and Bachmann potentially on his way out, Edwards may decide to have a goalkeeping rebuild during the summer in a bid to freshen things up in Hertfordshire.

Rob Elliott probably won't be a starter and depending on how his new manager views him, he may not be a part of the matchday squad at all, with two shot-stoppers potentially needing to come in if that's the case.

Selling Bachmann may also relieve any pressure on their wage bill and considering Edwards has operated in the lower leagues, you would certainly back him to bring in a gem or two on a modest salary.

Keep an eye on this position - because it may be near the top of the club's transfer priority list.

If Sarr does move on this summer, they will need an adequate replacement to come in and one candidate that could replace him is Derby County's Tom Lawrence, who is reported to be a target for the Hornets.

The Welshman recorded 11 goals and five assists in 38 league appearances for the Rams during the 2021/22 campaign, an impressive total considering the off-field situation at Pride Park and the fact he started alongside many inexperienced players.

Also stepping up as captain for Wayne Rooney, he could be a real leader at Vicarage Road and with his contract in the East Midlands expiring this summer, he could be an excellent free transfer.

The money generated from Sarr's fee can be invested in other areas of the squad and used to balance the books.

West Ham United are considering launching a £20m fee for Emmanuel Dennis, according to the Daily Mirror.

Considering they recruited him for a fee believed to be in the region of £3.6m last summer, they could be tempted by an offer of this magnitude, though they have a huge amount of power at the negotiating table with four years still left on his deal.

In the end, player power could be crucial in terms of whether he departs or not because the Hornets may be reluctant to sell him yet, knowing he could play a crucial part in getting them back to the top tier with his goalscoring pedigree.

However, there are no guarantees that they will get an offer of £20m or more in the next few windows beyond the summer, with Sheffield United's Sander Berge likely to be of less interest during this upcoming window, as an example.

This is why Edwards may want to cash in on the forward now, with the potential to reinvest that money into multiple areas. If he wants to put his stamp on the squad, this sale may be necessary.

Watford are one of a number of sides interested in Wigan Athletic striker Will Keane, according to a report from The Sun.

Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers are also in the race for the ex-Manchester United player - but at this stage - it would be hard to see either of the two splashing out on the fee needed to lure him away from the DW Stadium.

Dennis' potential departure could provide them with the funds needed to pull this transfer deal off - and this could be a good signing for them after seeing him register 26 goals in League One during the 2021/22 campaign.

Although it would be a risk to bring him in as a first-choice option considering he was plying his trade in the third tier last season, he could be a good replacement for Andre Gray who will depart the club on the expiration of his contract.

Potentially a good backup option, Keane could push for a starting spot if he can impress.

Considering how crucial Nicky Cadden was for Forest Green Rovers last season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the relegated side move for the 25-year-old.

Recording six goals and 13 assists in 44 fourth-tier appearances last term, Edwards clearly knows how to get a tune out of the left wing-back and he may come in as a replacement for Hassane Kamara who has been linked with a move away recently.

A move to West Ham may not be imminent at this stage - but he shone last term and arguably deserves to remain in the top tier, so it will be interesting to see whether a move away is sanctioned.

It may depend on the price, though they would ideally want to keep him as a real shining light and someone who could be a real game-changer in the second tier.

The Hornets are currently monitoring Mainz midfielder Jean-Paul Boetius ahead of his contract expiring in the summer, according to a report from The Telegraph earlier this month.

He did only record two goals and four assists in 33 Bundesliga appearances during 2021/22 - but he may be able to thrive in the English second tier with quite a few players needed to replace the attacking firepower they will lose if Dennis goes.

Boetius could be one of those players, operating mainly as an advanced midfielder and could be the perfect candidate to have in that role with plenty of German top-tier experience under his belt from the past year.