Nottingham Forest transfer latest as Taiwo Awoniyi update emerges amid £33m claim
Everton are said to have their eye on Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi as the January transfer deadline nears.
Awoniyi has struggled for regular minutes for the Reds so far this season. Behind top scorer Chris Wood in the pecking order, he has largely had to settle for coming off the bench in games.
It has led to speculation about his future, despite both the forward and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo insisting he can have a role to play in the remainder of the campaign. West Ham United have already been credited with an interest in Awoniyi, and now the Toffees are said to be keen.
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According to Italian newspaper Tuttosport (via Everton News), the Merseyside club are targeting a potential late swoop for the Forest front man. The 27-year-old is said to be among a number of names on the Toffees’ shortlist as they seek attacking reinforcements, with a reported £33.5 million cash pot to use on signing two players.
Awoniyi has made 20 appearances in the Garibaldi so far this term but has not yet hit the performance levels he has shown previously on the banks of the Trent. His only goal to date came in the 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this month.
Nuno has backed Awoniyi to get back to his best but has admitted he needs more game time in order to do so. Asked about rumours linking the Nigeria international with the Hammers earlier this month, the Reds boss said he was not aware of any transfer talk.
“We hope that he progresses with the fitness level because we know the talent and the quality he has,” Nuno said at the time. “He is a goalscorer.
“He always has an impact, he always has chances. That is what you can say about Taiwo. Is there something I do not know? There are rumours?”
Awoniyi has also played down suggestions he could leave before the February 3 deadline. He recently said: "Transfers are part of football, and there will always be speculation. But my focus is entirely on Nottingham Forest.
"This is a team with a lot of potential and I want to be here to help achieve something special. I’m not thinking about leaving, I’m thinking about how I can contribute more to the success of this club."
Adding another striker to the ranks is top of Forest’s to-do list in the final days of the window. The club have already had one bid rejected for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa but may well try their luck again as they push to strengthen Nuno’s options at the top end of the pitch.
