Ashley Young has reacted to rumours linking him with a return to Watford ahead of the 2021/22 season, after the Hornets won promotion into the Premier League. 

Xisco Munoz's side put together an impressive run of form in the second-half of this year's campaign, which saw Watford return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, after being relegated from the top-flight last season.

It's set to be an interesting summer ahead, with Munoz looking to add to his squad, as they look to adjust to life back in the Premier League.

It had previously been claimed by The Athletic that Watford were weighing up the possibility of bringing Young back to Vicarage Road, with the 35-year-old currently playing his football for Italian giants Inter Milan.

Young has played his part in the club's title-winning season this term, but is out-of-contract in the summer, and no new deal has been agreed as of yet with the Italian side, which has fuelled speculation of a return to his former club.

He came through Watford's academy system, and went on to make 107 appearances for the club's first-team, before departing in favour of a move to Aston Villa in 2007.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports News, Young admitted that he wouldn't rule out returning to Watford in the future, but stated that any speculation at this moment in time is just rumours, and nothing more than that.

"I've never said I wouldn't go back. It's the club where I started at 10 years old but right now it's just rumours, there is nothing. My representatives have not spoken to me about it, and I don't think there's any substance to it.

"It would be a difficult decision to make."

Watford are set to return to action on Saturday afternoon, when they host Swansea City, in what is likely to be a closely-fought battle between the two teams at Vicarage Road.

The Verdict: 

It's interesting to hear him not ruling out a return to Vicarage Road in the future.

Watford could be a tempting move for Young, especially if he doesn't agree a new contract with Inter Milan beyond this season, as it's a club he knows all about.

He might feel as though he has unfinished business with the Hornets as well, as they look to settle back into life in the Premier League under the management of Xisco Munoz.

Young has shown that he can still perform to a high standard, and a player of his experience could be very useful to Watford in the top-flight next season.