West Ham desperate to sign Taiwo Awoniyi…Forest not willing to let go

West Ham desperate to sign Taiwo Awoniyi…Forest not willing to let go

West Ham United are keen to sign Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest as a replacement for strikers Niclas Fullkrug dogged by injuries and Michail Antonio is ruled out for the rest of the year after he crashed his car against a tree in December.
Awoniyi is open to joining West Ham so that he can be guaranteed first team football following coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s preference for Chris Wood as his first-choice striker. Awoniyi’s contract will run out in 2027, but the Hammers are desperate to sign the Super Eagles striker to boost their striking options.
Awoniyi joined Forest when they were promoted to the Premier League back in 2022. He scored only four goals in their first 34 games as they entered a relegation battle with Everton and Leicester City. But Awoniyi found his scoring touch slotting in six goals in his last four games and helped the club beat relegation. Forest under Espirito Santo are second placed in the Premier League table.
Awoniyi has scored 17 goals from 63 games for Nottingham Forest. Awoniyi has only started two of the Premier League’s twenty games since the 2024–2025 season began.
However, Sky Sports UK reports that Forest are not willing to let Awoniyi go this January, unless a replacement is found.