What is going on with Watford FC's move to sign Emmanuel Dennis after fresh twist | OneFootball

Watford have decided against re-signing Emmanuel Dennis at this point.

It has been a whirlwind week at Watford, with manager Javi Gracia rejoining the club following the sacking of Paulo Pezzolano.

The Spanish coach led Watford to an 11th-place finish and the FA Cup final in the 2018/19 Premier League season, before losing his job two months into the following term.

Despite this, Gracia is adored by Hornets fans, and the club's media work over the last week has provided a moment of respite after what has been a poor start to the season for the club.

Watford had also been linked with a return for striker Emmanuel Dennis, who impressed in the top flight for Watford during the 2021/22 campaign - scoring 10 goals.

The Nigerian international returned to Vicarage Road for the second half of the 2023/24 season, scoring four goals during a loan spell from Nottingham Forest. He has been without a club since leaving the Garibaldi as a free agent in the summer, and it was revealed by the Daily Mail that Watford were looking to strengthen Gracia's squad immediately, with a return for Dennis on the cards.

There has since been an update on the saga, with it seemingly unlikely that Dennis will be playing football for the Hornets any time soon.

Fresh twist in Watford, Emmanuel Dennis saga

Sky Sports' Anthony Joseph revealed on Tuesday: "Watford have decided against signing striker Emmanuel Dennis at this stage," going on to report that the club and Dennis had been in talks, with medical and fitness tests also taking place.

It is said that the situation is ongoing and that Watford could change their stance in January.

Dennis has missed out on a lot of football when pre-season is included, with the striker also not joining up with Nigeria for the opening two international breaks of the campaign.

Joseph reports that the versatile forward may continue to train with Watford, further suggesting that the decision regarding his future will remain fluid.

Emmanuel Dennis would add experience to a young frontline - but Watford may not need him

Dennis may not have recaptured the heights of his breakout Premier League season at Vicarage Road, but his past performances in a Watford shirt showed there is a capable forward there.

Since leaving the club in 2022, the Nigerian has struggled to find form. He scored just twice for Nottingham Forest, and failed to register during a brief spell at Blackburn during the second half of last season, where he made just six appearances.

Yet, his experience would offer valuable know-how to a young attacking group that includes the impressive Nestory Irankunda and Kwadwo Baah. On a free transfer, a fully fit Dennis could be a low-risk addition. But for now, the Hornets' focus appears to be elsewhere.

The overall mood around Vicarage Road has lifted thanks to the return of Gracia. He is a familiar and popular figure to offer some stability after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

Dennis' situation remains ongoing, and continued training with Gracia's squad could lead to a short-term deal later in the season. But if the Spaniard succeeds when it comes to results, a return for the striker may prove unnecessary.