Nottingham Forest’s transfer deadline day may have been busier than expected, with Emmanuel Dennis leaving for Blackburn Rovers among a host of late moves.
Dennis’ transfer to Blackburn came as little surprise, as the Nigerian was anticipated to go on deadline day, with Watford and Toulouse pursuing him as the day began.
His transfer was not officially disclosed until beyond the deadline, but the paperwork was clearly done in time for him to pursue first-team football, as there was no hint of him receiving an opportunity under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Dennis wasn’t the only late transaction completed by Evangelos Marinakis; after Forest were in talks with Tyler Bindon earlier in the day, the New Zealand international finalized his transfer to Forest before returning on loan to Reading.
While the amount for the 20-year-old is unknown, Reading fans enthused about Bindon’s talent when asked by Forest supporters to explain their new signing, which speaks well for his eventual arrival at the City Ground this summer.
Blackburn’s signing of Dennis lacked several vital facts, with the only confirmed component of the transaction being that he was on loan until the end of the season. However, new details concerning his departure have emerged, which may surprise Forest fans.
Nottingham Forest rejected the key stipulation of Emmanuel Dennis’ loan.
Marinakis would have been eager to transfer Dennis on, considering he earns a massive £40,000 per week at Forest, but journalist Dom Smith has uncovered that the Forest owner refused a condition that would have made the move permanent.
Smith stated that Emmanuel Dennis’ move from Nottingham Forest to Blackburn is a six-month loan. An option to buy was discussed, but Forest declined.”
Given that Forest sought to transfer Dennis in the summer, the news that the club rejected the chance of the Nigerian’s move to Blackburn becoming permanent would come as a huge surprise to Forest fans, especially given his lack of football under Espirito Santo.
Dennis has never been selected for competitive games by the Forest manager, indicating that his future lies outside of the City Ground. Given the specifics of his current Forest deal, it appears like Marinakis may be taking a calculated risk with Dennis’ future.
Nottingham Forest may be gambling on the success of Emmanuel Dennis’ loan.
Forest had been attempting to trade Dennis since 2023, just a year after he joined the club under Steve Cooper.
Dennis has subsequently gone on loan in Turkey, where he failed to score in eight outings for Istanbul Basaksehir, and then returned to his former club Watford, where he scored four goals in 18 Championship matches last season.
Those Watford figures do not bode well for his chances at Blackburn, but if Dennis can rediscover some form, he may be more valuable to Marinakis than any buy option negotiated in a loan agreement.
Dennis was scouted by Serie A and La Liga clubs prior to his move to Blackburn, indicating that the Nigerian forward has admirers who may be tempted to re-sign him if he hits the ground running at Blackburn.
Dennis has another year on his deal when he returns to Forest in the summer, which might allow Marinakis to secure a respectable fee if Dennis can rediscover form in his brief stint at Blackburn.
