Gary Rowett has confirmed talks to sign Watford misfit Diego Fabbrini are ongoing and the Birmingham City boss says he would love to capture the Italian on a permanent basis.

The 24-year-old shone during a five-game loan stint with the Blues at the end of last season after earlier impressing on loan at Millwall.

And, although the one-cap Italy international has been involved in first-team training during pre-season, he has been on the periphery during the Hornets’ friendly matches.

A return to St Andrew's has been mooted during the summer and now Rowett has solidified his interest in the former Udinese and Empoli attacker.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “Diego is a player we would love to bring to the club.

“The talks are still ongoing but again that's out of our hands - all we can do is try to put something together that is attractive to Watford.”

Fabbrini was joined at Birmingham by Nottingham Forest’s Robert Tesche for the final months of the season, the pair proving popular during their Midlands stay.

And Rowett says he is prepared to wait in order to get permanent deals for the duo completed if necessary.

“Those are the types of players we are trying to bring in and if you saw our performances last season towards the end of the season that's the difference those players can make,” he explained.

“That's all we are looking to do, the aim is to always hunt for those top calibre players and until I get them, quite simply nothing will happen.

“If I have to start the season and wait for that type of players that's what I will have to do.

“I wanted to get them in three-four weeks ago, that's always been the aim but it's not been quite as easy as that.

“We want to have the likes of Diego and Robert Tesche because I think it lit up St Andrew's last season when we had those type of players.”