Watford close in on Pars' Bamba

Bamba has travelled to Watford to hold talks with the English club

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre expects a fee to be agreed with Watford for defender Souleymane Bamba's move to the Championship club.

He told the Pars website that the clubs were near to reaching agreement and that a medical will soon follow for the 23-year-old from the Ivory Coast.

The player, who joined Dunfermline from Paris St Germain in 2006, has struggled since Jim McIntyre became manager.

"If a fee can be agreed then he will go," said the Pars boss.

Bamba, who has represented Ivory Coast at age-group level and is in their squad for the Olympics, turned out for Watford in a pre-season friendly.

The defender could be seen by Watford as cover for Danny Shittu, whose transfer to Rangers fell through this month.

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McIntyre said he did not expect to be given any future transfer fee for Bamba but said a move would free up wages to strengthen his squad.

The Pars boss also did not expect to receive any of the money due to the club as part of a sell-on clause for striker Noel Hunt, who has been sold by Dundee United to Reading for £600,000.