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Report: Work permit problem stopped West Brom signing £18m ace on deadline day

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West Bromwich Albion failed in a deadline day swoop for Club Brugge striker Emmanuel Dennis after finding it impossible to obtain a work permit, according to Het Laaste Nieuws.

Fortunately for Slaven Bilic, the Baggies have until next Friday to sign a much-needed goalscorer from the Football League.

West Brom have set their sights on Watford duo Andre Gray and Troy Deeney while, according to the Express and Star, Huddersfield Town’s Karlan Grant remains their top target.

But, if those pesky work permit regulations were a little less stringent, the Premier League strugglers might have strengthened their attack with a man who scored two Champions League goals away at Real Madrid last term.

HLN reports that West Brom made a move for £18 million-rated Nigeria international Dennis on Monday.

But the 22-year-old was denied a move to England after the deal fell foul of red tape.

Emmanuel Dennis of Club Bruegge controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Club Brugge KV and Paris Saint-Germain at Jan Breydel Stadium on October 22, 2019… (TF-Images/Getty Images)

Then again, Dennis can take some consolation from the fact he will be playing Champions League football again this season after Brugge won the Belgian top flight last term.

The Blue Blacks have been drawn against Dortmund, Lazio and Zenit St Petersburg in their group.

HLN adds that Brighton and Hove Albion also showed an interest in Dennis but failed to make a concrete offer on deadline day.

Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis of Club Brugge celebrates his goal with team mates during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Real Madrid and Club Brugge KV at Bernabeu on October… (TF-Images/Getty Images)