Taiwo Awoniyi: Forest’s latest transfer target is bad news for Super Eagles striker
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Taiwo Awoniyi could be pushed further down the pecking order if Nottingham Forest sign Eddie Nketiah (Credit: Imago)

Taiwo Awoniyi: Forest’s latest transfer target is bad news for Super Eagles striker

Seye Omidiora 13:41 - 21.08.2024

The Tricky Trees are chasing a player in the Nigerian’s position, possibly pushing the centre forward to the exit door.

Nottingham Forest are nearing a deal with Arsenal to sign Eddie Nketiah, possibly making Taiwo Awoniyi the club’s third-choice striker. 

Nottingham’s Nketiah interest

According to The Athletic, a fee has not been agreed between Forest and Arsenal, with the Gunners asking for a figure between £30-35 million after the Tricky Trees had a £25 million including add-ons bid rejected.

Eddie Nketiah
Nottingham Forest are interested in Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah (Credit: Imago)

Nketiah has been linked with Marseille, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth this summer, but no deal has been agreed for the 25-year-old. 

According to the report, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are looking for a striker with a different profile from Chris Wood and Awoniyi, and they believe the Arsenal striker, who has scored 38 times for the Gunners, offers solutions. 

Taiwo Awoniyi
Nuno Espirito Santo has preferred Chris Wood to Taiwo Awoniyi at centre-forward (Credit: Imago)

What comes next?

Awoniyi lost his starting place to Wood in the 2023-24 season after his comeback, limiting the Nigerian to 20 appearances (12 starts), and could become the third-choice striker if Nketiah joins from the North London club. 

Taiwo Awoniyi
Taiwo Awoniyi struggled for starts at Nottingham Forest after returning from injury (Credit: Imago)

Forest travel to newly promoted Southampton on Saturday, August 24, in their second Premier League match, keen to record maximum points after last weekend's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth