Manchester United and Arsenal both registered interest in signing Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis, his agent has claimed.
Dennis has been in top form since joining the Premier League side, having already scored six goals and recorded five assists.
He put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Watford over the summer but would have joined United or Arsenal if they had matched Club Brugge’s price tag.
The two clubs were put off by the £25million valuation slapped on him- but Watford made a move with a deal worth just £3.4m after he ran his contract down in Belgium.
‘Arsenal were interested in the past and Manchester United were also interested, but for Club Brugge were demanding a ridiculous fee for him,’ Drew Uyi told The Football Show YouTube channel.
They wanted £25m, while these clubs were prepared to pay £15m.
‘In the end he joined Watford for £3.4m because his contract was running out.
‘He was frustrated at Club Brugge, he was not happy because no young man would be if he were stopped from such opportunities [as Arsenal and Manchester United].’
Speaking ahead of his side’s clash against Brentford, Claudio Ranieri has insisted Dennis has the quality to play for many of the teams he is scoring against.
‘I think he could play for these big teams,’ Watford boss Ranieri told Sky Sports.
‘He must continue to improve and I speak a lot with him. I’m sure at the end of the season he can go into the big teams – but also he can stay in Watford!
‘I’m impressed a lot with his performances.’
