Forest Eye bid £20m for Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis

NOTTINGHAM FOREST’s Steve Cooper wants Watford’s Emmanuel Dennis to increase his batting options.

West Ham appeared in pole position to push through a £20m deal for the Nigerian, who recorded 10 goals and 6 assists in 33 Premier League games last season.

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Hammers boss David Moyes has set himself in motion after doubts following background checks of the 24-year-old and feeling he is not a good fit for his squad.

That alarmed Cooper, who believes the versatile attacker can take any of his three attacking positions and would add a real scoring threat to his newly promoted side.

With Dennis still on his contract for four years, Forest are confident they can capitalize on the Hammers’ turnaround and sign the skilled frontman.

Dennis’ 10 goals for a relegated team was an impressive return and the flamboyant striker also produced 21 nutmegs during Watford’s season.

Cooper likes the fact that the former Zorya Luhansk and Club Brugge forward can play on the left and right wing as well as in the middle as a mobile forward.

Dennis, who has scored twice against Real Madrid in a Champions League game at the Bernabeu, doesn’t lack confidence and would be interested in a return to the Prem anytime soon.

Watford would prefer to sell quickly but Forest would prefer to loan Dennis out with an option to buy.

Cooper is also chasing Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar after La Liga side Real Betis failed to meet his personal terms.

Aouar joined Lyon academy aged 11 and now wants a new challenge in Spain or England.

Aouar, now 24, made 44 appearances in all competitions last season, contributing eight goals and four assists.

He is now in the final year of his contract and Lyon are looking to cash in while they can still secure a transfer for the central midfielder, who played for France at senior level.

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Unlike Betis, Forest were not deterred by Aouar’s £75,000-a-week wages as he would be available for less than half of the £30m Forest was willing to pay Morgan Gibbs-White for Wolves.

Aouar has made 215 appearances for the Ligue 1 side in total, scoring 40 goals and providing 35 assists, stats which led to earlier interest from Arsenal, Spurs and Leicester City.