Nottingham Forest are willing to entertain offers for their prolific striker Taiwo Awoniyi, according to the Daily Mail.
Born in Ilorin twenty-six years ago, Awoniyi is classed as a homegrown player by the Premier League as he was on the books of Liverpool for three seasons before turning 21.
The Nigeria international has been on the radar of West Ham United, prompting Forest to consider potential replacements.
One name that has emerged as a possible candidate to fill the void is Ben Brereton-Diaz, a familiar face who donned the Reds’ jersey between 2017 and 2019.
Awoniyi’s future at the City Ground has been cast into doubt ahead of the transfer window’s opening next week.
Despite having three years left on his contract, the 25-year-old hinted at a possible departure when questioned about his future before Nottingham Forest secured safety in the Premier League.
The Reds are prepared to listen to offers for Awoniyi, who has been plagued by injuries during his two-year stint at the two-time European champions.
However, he has still managed to score crucial goals, showcasing his importance to the team. If Awoniyi departs, Forest may turn to Brereton-Diaz, who has experience playing for the club.
The 25-year-old scored nine goals in 57 appearances for the Reds before leaving for Blackburn Rovers in a £7 million deal in January 2019.
Brereton Diaz has since played for Villarreal and Sheffield United, netting six goals in 16 appearances for the Blades during the second half of the 2023/24 season.
His performance against his former side last month, where he scored from the penalty spot before Forest secured a 3-1 win, may have caught the eye of the Reds’ management.
Taiwo who joined Nottingham Forest from FC Union Berlin in the summer of 2022 has registered a total of seventeen goals and four assists in fifty three appearances overall for Nottingham Forest.
Olaitan Ibrahim