West Ham United ahead in race for £20million Emmanuel Dennis but Nottingham Forest a new threat
West Ham are ahead in the race to sign Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis but Nottingham Forest are a new threat, according to The Athletic.
The Hammers have long been interested in the Nigerian international, who is expected to be available for around £20million.
Talks have already been held over a move to the London Stadium but the big-money signing of Gianluca Scamacca is seen as a possible factor in getting a deal done, and in the mean time newly-promoted Forest have been making advances.
Amid interest from Fulham and Everton, Watford correspondent Adam Leventhal says of Steve Cooper’s ambitious outfit: “The Athletic has been told by sources close to Dennis they were encouraged by meetings that took place with the Forest hierarchy.”
But on the Irons’ position Leventhal goes on to say: “The Athletic understands that West Ham have already got to that stage and discussions with key officials have taken place about a move.
“But a lot can still change and West Ham’s move for Gianluca Scamacca may prove to be instead of, rather than as well as, Dennis.”
Them again
The Scamacca move could make the whole point moot, and it certainly reduces the pressing need for a striker to arrive at the London Stadium.
But the club were well down the road towards Armando Broja at the same time and it seems to be indecision from Chelsea’s end that has stopped that as much as anything from West Ham.
If the club are still in for Dennis, who as well as playing centrally can feature wide on either side, then it will not be encouraging to see Forest emerge as a key rival.
They have already come in at the 11th-hour to win the race for Jesse Lingard, which David Moyes had apparently been leading for months.
The Hammers may not wish to spend £20million on the relegated forward, but at 24 and with 10 goals in his first Premier League season it doesn’t seem an extortionate price.
Unlike Broja, four years his junior, he also has European experience in both the Europa League and the Champions League.
The fact that he is currently in the Championship no doubt makes the value available that much higher and it seems unlikely such an opportunity would arise for him again, so if Moyes has designs on Dennis at any point now would look to be the time, which also applies to his Hornets teammate Ismaila Sarr.