Sky Sports are reporting interest in Taiwo Awoniyi as West Ham hunt for reinforcements under new boss Graham Potter
West Ham are said to have begun talks with Nottingham Forest over a January transfer for striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
No sum has been specified, but Sky are saying that the Hammers are making a “serious attempt” to recruit Awoniyi, the Nigerian international whose goals helped Forest stay in the top division in their first two seasons after being promoted.
The 27-year-old has had an injury-plagued season with the Reds, although he did score his first goal of the season in their 3-0 top-flight triumph over Wolves last week. He also made a brief debut from the bench on Tuesday night against former club Liverpool.
Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg told X this morning: “West Ham are now making a serious bid to sign Taiwo Awoniyi with immediate effect. Talks have begun. The 27-year-old striker is now under contract with Forest until 2027.”
Forest have made it clear that they will only consider moving Awoniyi if a successor is found first, and they are believed to be interested in Santiago Giménez, Feyenoord’s Mexican striker who turned them down in the summer.
In response to the revelation, Sky Sports’ Midlands reporter Danyal Khan said: “To be honest, it would make a lot of sense.” We were discussing how West Ham sorely needed a striker after Niclas Füllkrug’s injury and Michail Antonio’s long-term absence.
“Awoniyi was such a vital player for this Forest team in the first two seasons after they were promoted from the Championship; essentially, his goals kept them up. He scored some vital goals for them. But he had a significant injury last season and hasn’t been able to play consistently or with match sharpness since, partly due to Chris Wood’s form.
“But I believe he may perform well at West Ham, where he will be able to play because there is a gap in that position. He is a tremendous striker when he is on form, and he simply needs more game time.”
Fullkrug, a German striker, was injured during the Hammers’ FA Cup defeat against Aston Villa on Friday, Graham Potter’s first game as new West Ham manager, and is expected to be sidelined for some time. Antonio, a former Forest striker, was gravely hurt in a car incident before Christmas.
