Since parting ways with Nottingham Forest in August, Emmanuel Dennis has yet to secure a new club.
Gambo Mohammed, a former striker for the Super Eagles, has voiced his bewilderment over Emmanuel Dennis’ ongoing free-agent status nearly two months after leaving Nottingham Forest, according to Soccernet.ng.
Dennis’ three-year stint at Nottingham Forest was challenging, with limited playing time and a gradual decline in his role. On August 31, both parties agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
As a free agent, Dennis was eligible to sign with any club at any time, even outside the traditional transfer windows.
Despite this flexibility, Dennis has not yet committed to a new team. Early rumors linked him with Celtic, but negotiations fell through. There were also whispers of interest from Serie A clubs in Italy, but nothing concrete emerged.
More recently, reports surfaced about a potential transfer to Watford, with Cypriot side Pafos also mentioned as a possible destination. However, no developments have been confirmed, and Dennis remains without a club.
Gambo Mohammed, who earned four caps for Nigeria and formerly played for Kano Pillars, has publicly expressed his puzzlement over Dennis’ current predicament.
The ex-Kano Pillars striker insists that Dennis possesses undeniable talent and should not be struggling to find a club this long after his departure from Nottingham Forest.
“It baffles me why he isn’t playing regular first-team football right now because he’s a quality player,” Gambo shared with Footy-Africa.
“There must be something else going on that I’m not aware of. A player of his caliber should be contributing goals and assists consistently.
“Could it be an issue with discipline or motivation? I honestly don’t know, and I wish I had the answers.
“His style is exactly what many teams look for, yet he remains clubless. I heard Watford showed interest but later withdrew. Hopefully, he finds a new club soon as a free agent.”
What’s Next for Emmanuel Dennis?
Given Dennis’ skill set, it’s expected that several clubs would be interested in acquiring him. However, securing a spot in one of Europe’s top five leagues might prove challenging, especially considering his underwhelming loan spells at Istanbul Basaksehir, Blackburn Rovers, and Watford.
Financial considerations may also be a significant factor. Dennis’ market value has declined sharply over recent years, limiting his bargaining power and salary expectations compared to his Nottingham Forest days.
He might be holding out for an offer that matches his previous earnings, which could be complicating negotiations.
At 27 years old, Dennis is entering what should be the prime of his career. His priority will be to resolve his transfer status swiftly and return to competitive football without further delay.