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

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.