Everton may only revive manager Frank Lampard’s interest in Emmanuel Dennis during the last week of the summer sales, should the Watford forward still be available for a transfer.
That’s according to The Athletic, who report the Toffees admire what Dennis offered after joining the Hornets last summer. But as the Goodison Park natives must carefully manage what they spend this year, the Blues cannot rush to agree a deal for the Nigerian to move.
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Watford signed Dennis from Club Brugge for a bargain £3m last July and agreed to give the Belgian outfit a 5% sell-on clause. Yet the figure will barely scratch the surface of whatever fee the Vicarage Road side could earn, having slapped a £20m price tag on the 24-year-old.
Hornets chiefs are willing to move Dennis on after they succumbed to relegation from the Premier League last season. He also has a host of clubs considering his services, having hit 10 goals and laid on a further six assists across 33 top-flight appearances through 2021/22.
Everton are particularly interested in the idea of signing Dennis from Watford after selling Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur. The seven-cap Nigeria international could help replace the Brazilian in Lampard’s plans, having offered the Hornets an option across the frontline.
Dennis is, additionally, keen to remain a Premier League player, despite receiving a handful of offers from abroad. Yet any transfer to Goodison Park is unlikely to come in time for the start of the season, with the Blues bidding before the last week of the window debatable.
Everton have held talks with Dennis agent over interest in deal with Watford
Everton have held talks with Dennis’ agent over Lampard’s interest in his potential transfer from Watford, per the Express. The Toffees are among many clubs to register their intrigue with West Ham, Southampton and the Championship play-off winners, Nottingham Forest.
David Moyes has likely now pulled the Irons from the race after signing Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo for £30.5m, though. So, Lampard could have an easier path to acquiring the forward Claudio Ranieri considered a ‘universal’ player whilst in charge at Vicarage Road.
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