Nottingham Forest consider signing Dennis and pairing him with Awoniyi upfront

NEWLY-promoted English Premier League side are considering signing Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis on a loan deal until the end of the season and pairing him up with compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi who they have just signed.

Late last month, Forest completed the signing of Awoniyi from German Bundesliga side Union Berlin in a package worth a £17.5m (€20.5m). In a deal which shatters Nottingham Forest's previous record when it paid £13.5m for Joao Carvalho in 2018, Awoniyi signed a five year contract with the club.

Dennis, 24, on the other hand, joined Watford at the beginning of last season from Belgian side Club Brugge and has been one of the revelations of the campaign, scoring 10 goals in 33 appearances. With Watford now relegated and playing in the Championship, the second tier of English football, big clubs were lining to sign Dennis about a month ago.

Having a relegation clause in his contract, Dennis was sought by the likes of Brentford, Crystal Palace West Ham, Leeds and Aston Villa after Watford went down. West Ham had been favourites to sign him but now, it appears that the Hammers are having second thoughts amid fears that the striker may be a disruptive.

There are now indications that Forest could fill the vacuum by signing Dennis on loan with an option to buy him included in the potential deal.  According to Sky Sports, Forest would prefer a loan with an option to buy and are deciding whether or not to formalise their interest or the player valued at around £20m.

Nottingham Forest have gone on a spending spree after sealing promotion to the Premier League, bringing in Taiwo Awoniyi, Orel Mangala,  Neco Williams, Moussa Niakhaté and Omar Richards among others. Jesse Lingard then arrived on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Manchester United.

Dean Henderson has also joined on a season-long loan and Forest are hoping to sign Dennis under the same arrangement. Dennis, who was one of the standout players in the Premier League in the first half of last season, has four years left on his contract with the Hornets.