Nottingham Forest’s transfer deadline day perhaps became busier than expected, with Emmanuel Dennis’ departure to Blackburn Rovers being one of a number of late deals.
Dennis’ move to Blackburn came as no surprise as the Nigerian was expected to be leaving on deadline day, with Watford and Toulouse chasing Dennis as the day began.
His move wasn’t officially announced until after the deadline had passed, but the paperwork was evidently completed in time to see him chase first-team football as there was no sign of him earning an opportunity under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Dennis wasn’t the only late deal done by Evangelos Marinakis as after Forest were in talks with Tyler Bindon earlier in the day, the New Zealand international completed his switch to Forest before heading back on loan to Reading.
Whilst the fee for the 20-year-old remains unknown, Reading fans raved about Bindon’s talent when asked by Forest supporters to describe their new signing which bodes well for his eventual arrival at the City Ground in the summer.
Blackburn’s capture of Dennis was also lacking some key details with the only confirmed aspect of the deal being that it was a loan until the end of the season. However, fresh information has been uncovered about his exit which may come as a shock to Forest supporters.
Nottingham Forest rejected key clause in Emmanuel Dennis’ loan
Marinakis would’ve been keen to move Dennis on as he earns a whopping £40,000 per week at Forest, but journalist Dom Smith has revealed that the Forest owner actually rejected a clause that could’ve seen the move turn permanent.
Smith said: “Emmanuel Dennis’s move from Nottingham Forest to Blackburn is a 6-month straight loan. An option to buy was discussed, but Forest decided against it.”
Given that Forest wanted to sell Dennis in the summer, the news that the club went against the possibility of the Nigerian’s move to Blackburn turning permanent will come as a great shock to Forest fans, especially given his lack of football under Espirito Santo.
The Forest manager has never picked Dennis in competitive fixtures, highlighting that his future is away from the City Ground. Given the details in his current Forest deal, though, it seems that Marinakis may be taking a calculated risk with Dennis’ future.
Nottingham Forest could be gambling on the success of Emmanuel Dennis’ loan
Forest have been trying to sell Dennis since 2023, only a year after he joined the club under then-manager, Steve Cooper.
Dennis has since been on loan in Turkey where he failed to score in eight appearances for Istanbul Basaksehir, then back at former club Watford where he bagged four goals in 18 appearances in the Championship last season.
Those Watford numbers don’t necessarily bode well for his chances at Blackburn but if Dennis could find some form, he could be more valuable to Marinakis than any buy option negotiated in a loan.
Serie A and La Liga sides looked at Dennis before his move to Blackburn, highlighting that the Nigerian forward does have admirers who may be tempted back in for a deal should he hit the ground running at Blackburn.
Dennis has another year left on his contract upon returning to Forest in the summer, a detail that could allow Marinakis to secure a reasonable sum of Dennis can find some form in his brief spell at Blackburn.
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