Celtic Eye Bosman Move For This Former Nottingham Forest Forward: What Should The Hoops Do | OneFootball

After a miserable transfer deadline day, Celtic had no option but to explore the free agent pool in their hunt for a ‘number 9’. They roped in Kelechi Iheanacho soon after the Nigerian had his contract terminated with Sevilla by mutual agreement, and according to The Herald’s Stephen McGowan, the Hoops have also shortlisted his compatriot Emmanuel Dennis, as he is now available on a Bosman, having been released by Nottingham Forest.

From Bernabeu Hero With Brugge To A Failure At Forest

The 27-year-old Nigerian plied his trade in Europe with the Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk, who scouted him from Kwara Football Academy back in his homeland. There, he spent just over a year before being snapped up by the Belgian heavyweights Club Brugge for  €1.2m. Dennis grabbed attention for scoring a brace against Real Madrid in their 2-2 Champions League draw at Santiago Bernabeu, and was part of the Blue-Black’s three league triumphs in four years.

WATFORD, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Emmanuel Dennis of Watford FC (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Watford and Brentford at Vicarage Road on April 16, 2022 in Watford, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)

After a half-season loan stint with Koln in the Bundesliga, then-newly-promoted Watford tied him down ahead of the 2021-22 Premier League season. Despite being their highest scorer with 10 league goals, the Hornets finished in the drop zone.

Dennis retained his top-flight status when Nottingham Forest secured his services upon their promotion, but spent most of his time with Istanbul Başakşehir in Turkey, followed by Watford and Blackburn Rovers in the English Championship on temporary stints, after featuring sporadically in his maiden campaign at the City Ground. The Super Eagles centre-forward could not impress enough while on loan, and therefore,  has been relieved from his duties, being surplus to requirements under Nuno Espírito Santo.

Why He Should Be Roped In To Challenge Iheanacho

Meanwhile, the Celtic board shifted gears in the final few days following fans’ fury and bolstered their attack by Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Tounekti. However, they are only suited for wide forward slots, and the baffling decision of letting Adam Idah leave for Swansea City without signing a replacement further exposed their incompetence and lack of ambition.

Iheanacho spent the best years of his career when Brendan Rodgers was in charge of Leicester City. He has been registered on time for their Europa League squad, but should only feature as the understudy to Daizen Maeda, who is now viewed as a ‘number 9’ after last season’s exquisite scoring streak.

The Nigerian, given his dismal form of late, might take time to attune to the pace and aggression of Scottish football. Celtic are also weighing up a move for former Leeds United ace Patrick Bamford, but the Englishman’s age and previous injury record could see them shift their focus to Dennis to challenge and cover his fellow countryman up top.