Watford are set to battle Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday for the signature of former striker Emmanuel Dennis, according to BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella on X.
A move does, however, hinge on a compromise being made with Dennis’ current club Nottingham Forest over the Nigerian’s reported £60,000 per week wages. The 27-year-old joined Forest from Watford in 2022 for around £20 million but has failed to hit the ground running, scoring only twice in 25 games at the City Ground.
He had a loan spell at the Hornets last season, as well as with Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir, and appears linked with a move back to Vicarage Road having failed to appear for Forest this season. Kinsella is reporting that Dennis has already held talks with Watford over a return, but has also entertained a move to French Ligue 1 club Toulouse. The Sheffield Star is also reporting that Wednesday are keen, but a move to Yorkshire doesn’t appear to be at such an advanced stage.
Dennis is said to be extremely keen on a move away from Nottingham Forest having not featured for the Champions League hopeful this campaign. With attackers such as Chris Wood in great form, it looks increasingly difficult for the Nigeria international to break into the team, and so a move may be necessary for first-team football.
A move back to Hertfordshire may present the best opportunity to do so, and may help him to resurrect his career at a club he knows. Over a couple of spells, Dennis has scored 14 goals in 55 appearances for the club, including four on loan in 2023-24. Returning to Vicarage Road may help Dennis get his scoring form back, while helping Tom Cleverley’s side achieve their goals for the season.
Watford currently lie in 12th in the Championship after a poor run, and now have only an outside chance of the play-offs. More goals are necessary with strikers struggling this year, so Dennis has been targeted to that end to help the club up the table.
Writer’s View
This would be a great move for Watford. They’d be getting a player in his peak years who has struggled recently, but knows the club. Tom Cleverley’s side need goals if they want to reach the play-offs and Dennis could do just that and resurrect his own career while helping the Hornets. Wages are an issue, but this would be a great move for all involved.