Reports are claiming that West Ham United are in the process of negotiations with Watford for Emmanuel Dennis.
The Hornets brough Dennis from Belgian Jupiler Pro League club Club Brugge in. the summer for under €4 million. He has delivered, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists for the club in the Premier League this season.
His total contribution of 16 goals is the third most for the club in the Premier League since Troy Deeney’s 20-goal contribution (13 goals, seven assists) and Odion Ighalo’s 18-goal contribution (15 goals, three assists) from the 2015/16 season.
Unlike the 2015/16 season with Ighalo and Deeney, Dennis had little help and Watford have been relegated from the Premier League as a result.
The club is now planning a reset as they prepare to compete for a place in the 2023/24 Premier League season. Towards that end, they need an injection of funds and the sale of Dennis and a few other players is key to raising said funds.
West Ham eye Dennis move as striker search continues
West Ham United, on the other hand, are looking for a striker to provide Michail Antonio, 32, with some good competition and back up next season. They have identified a number of strikers, but with Dennis' performance in his first season and his relatively low price tag, they have chosen to make a move for the striker.
This is according to transfer market journalist Peter O'Rourke, who claimed that West Ham has opened negotiations with Dennis' representatives and are preparing a bid to Watford for the striker.
O'Rourke tweeted: “West Ham are stepping up their bid to signal Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis after holding talks with his representatives this week in London.”
Watford value Dennis at £25 million but it remains to be seen if West Ham will pay that amount for a new striker.
Spanish tactician praises Super Eagles striker as complete
AD Alcorcon manager Fran Fernandez praised UD Almeria striker Sadiq Umar and hailed him as a complete striker.
The minnow club have been relegated from the Spanish Segunda Division but faced Almeria in their penultimate game of the season on Saturday. Umar failed to find the back of the net as the match ended 1-1 but was a constant threat throughout the game.
This came after Fernandez praised his qualities and noted that he was the player his club was going to be most wary of going into the tie. The former Partizan Belgrade forward has scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists this season for the club, which represents 40 percent of their goals in the league.
“He (Sadiq) is a very complete player and has a lot of impact on the offensive game,” Fernández said at the press conference, ahead of the game.
“But despite the fact that he is an outstanding player, I don’t think that Almería is about only him. The coaching staff and squad have had an exceptional season and are there for the block.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago