Nottingham Forest transfer is mooted as Nuno assesses squad

West Ham United, a Premier League rival of Nottingham Forest, is reportedly targeting Taiwo Awoniyi this summer as Nuno Espirito Santo meticulously reviews the team he took over after joining midway through the just concluded season.

After their contracts expired, Forest said goodbye to out-of-contract trio Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Wayne Hennessey. Meanwhile, loan group Divock Origi, Rodrigo Ribeiro, Gonzalo Montiel, Gio Reyna, and Nuno Tavares went back to their parent clubs.
Willy Boly and Ola Aina have both signed new contracts, and Ola Aina’s original contract has had its extension clause activated. However, as Forest gets ready for their third consecutive season back in the top flight, there will undoubtedly be more ins and outs during the next few months.

Awoniyi is one such player whose future will be closely watched. The striker, who cost the team around £17 million when he arrived from Union Berlin, arrived before the team’s return to the Premier League. Three years remain in the five-year contract that Awoniyi agreed to. With 11 goals in all competitions, including six in the last four games as Forest raced to safety, he had a respectable debut season.

In 20 appearances during a season marred by injuries last year, he assisted three goals and scored six himself. Before Forest locked up their place in the top flight for another season, Awoniyi was asked about his future. The Nigerian didn’t seem to completely rule out a transfer, saying, “That’s a tough one, for me I am still under contract at Nottingham Forest, for sure I am here.” I play for Nottingham Forest at the moment.

David Moyes was fired by West Ham, and Julen Lopetegui, a former manager of Wolves, was named as his replacement. According to reports, the Spaniard is reportedly keen to bring Awoniyi to East London to challenge Michail Antonio, who is surrounded by players like Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, for a spot in the starting lineup as a leader of the line.
Chris Wood has been available to Nuno and previously Steve Cooper whenever Awoniyi has been sidelined due to injury during the previous season. This past season, the Kiwi scored 16 goals, including a hat-trick in the victory over Newcastle that launched Nuno’s career and a brace on the last day against Burnley, who were relegated.