Taiwo Awoniyi’s time at Nottingham Forest has taken a disappointing turn, with the Nigerian striker’s market value dropping significantly due to limited playing time under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Soccernet.ng reports.
According to Transfermarkt, Awoniyi’s value has fallen from €30 million to €22 million, which is equivalent to ₦13.6 billion.
His reduced role in the team, primarily due to Chris Wood’s rise as the preferred forward, has raised questions about his future at the club.
Chris Wood and Nuno Espirito Santo
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo giving instructions to Chris Wood [Photo credit/Imago]
Injury Woes and the Rise of Chris Wood
Awoniyi has faced several injury setbacks since joining Forest, which led to the signing of Wood from Newcastle as a backup.
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However, Wood’s impressive form has propelled him to the top of the striker pecking order. The New Zealand international has netted 10 goals in the 2024-25 season, which makes him Forest’s current top scorer.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Taiwo Awoniyi [Photo credit/ X]
This has seen Awoniyi slip further down the ranks, with Espirito Santo acknowledging that the striker’s injuries and his international commitments have slowed his progress.
“It’s his fitness, his confidence, and he is looking for his goal. Everything changes in the mindset of a striker when you score; suddenly everything comes. We are waiting for this click. We trust him,” Espirito Santo said.
The former Porto FC goalkeeper continued, explaining the club’s efforts to boost the Super Eagles star’s game time.
“What we have been trying with Taiwo is to increase his game time. Unfortunately, if I look back, going into the previous (October) international break, he played and then immediately went with his national team and played five minutes. That was a step back.”
Forest Ready to Listen to Offers
Amid ongoing struggles, it now appears that Forest are open to listening to offers for Awoniyi, with reports suggesting that the Nigerian forward is growing frustrated with his situation at the club.
According to Talk Forest, the club is prepared to entertain offers for Awoniyi. Despite previous links to other Premier League clubs, including West Ham, a move to the Hammers seems unlikely after they secured Niklas Fullkrug during the summer transfer window.