Leeds likely to miss out on Garcia while Millers land striker for club record fee

United, who brought in former West Ham forward Brian Montenegro and signed loan striker Souleymane Doukara on a permanent three-year deal ahead of last night’s transfer deadline, had been in contact with Garcia’s representative Pere Guardiola, brother of Bayern Munich manager Pep.

But the shock resignation of Hornets’ head coach Giuseppe Sannino alerted Garcia to the possibility of taking over at Vicarage Road, where he is on a three-man shortlist, and he is expected to opt for the Hertfordshire club if they make him an acceptable offer.

Garcia, who left Maccabi Tel Aviv last week because of concerns over the security situation in Israel, has held talks with Watford’s Italian owners and is likely to make a decision by Thursday.

As well as speaking to Garcia’s representative, United president Massimo Cellino has also talked to former West Brom boss Steve Clarke, but he has ruled himself out.

Ex-Leeds boss Simon Grayson, tipped for a surprise return over the weekend, is not thought to be among the leading candidates.

Late last night Matt Smith joined Fulham for £500,000 on a three-year deal and Dominic Poleon joined Oldham on a two-year deal.

Rotherham signed Oldham striker Jonson Clarke-Harris, 20, breaking their club transfer record, and Luciano Becchio on loan from Norwich.

Other deals on a quiet deadline day across Yorkshire’s Football League clubs saw Sheffield Wednesday sign Reading winger Royston Drenthe, who has joined on loan until January 2.

The ex-Dutch international, not given a first-team squad number by Royals chief Nigel Adkins earlier this summer, has endured a barren time in Berkshire after arriving amid a big fanfare from Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz a year ago.

The 27-year-old has largely flattered to deceive after he was tipped for great things when moving to Real Madrid in 2007, never settling at the Bernabeu and being sent out on loan to Hercules and then Everton.

Drenthe featured 27 times for the Toffees in 2011-12, but was allowed to leave early due to several disciplinary indiscretions. His latest spell in England at Reading saw him make only 17 starts last term.

A late piece of business saw Huddersfield Town, hoping to appoint a new manager this week, with Chris Powell the favourite, end their search for an experienced centre-back by signing Cardiff City’s Mark Hudson on a two-year deal.

Earlier, Town pulled the plug on Sean Scannell’s proposed switch to Millwall.

The main early deadline-movers in Yorkshire were Middlesbrough, who sealed a double deal from the Low Countries, signing long-time target Jelle Vossen from Belgian side Genk and former Holland Under-21 international left winger Yanic Wildschut.

Vossen, who has 12 caps for Belgium, almost joined Boro on deadline day 12 months ago, but a fee with Genk could not be agreed.

The 25-year-old recently went public to express his desire to leave, with the striker arriving initially on loan with a view to a long-term deal.

Wildschut, 22, has signed an initial two-year deal after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Heerenveen.

Boro also signed young Chelsea goalkeeper Jamal Blackman on loan while Jason Steele switched to Blackburn for the rest of the season.