A report by The Athletic has claimed that Nottingham Forest scouted Taiwo Awoniyi meticulously before signing him this summer. The Reds paid a fee of £17 million for the talisman, breaking their club record transfer fee back in July.
Forest spent a vast amount of money in the summer transfer window. Their club record would be smashed once again later in the window when they paid £25 million plus add-ons for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Awoniyi scored 20 times for Union Berlin last season. They secured a place in Europe and the uncompromising striker was integral to the club’s success in the Bundesliga during 2021/22.
It was anticipated by the German outfit that Awoniyi would depart the club in the summer. The player had viewed the Premier League as an area of unfinished business after failing to win a work permit during his time on Liverpool’s books.
Forest supporters will be refreshed to know that Awoniyi has been meticulously scouted. Forest’s head of overseas recruitment George Syrianos has fancied the 25-year-old for some time and was keen to bring him to the City Ground.
It was thought that Awoniyi could have a similar impact on Forest to that of Keinan Davis. The Reds were never going to part with £15 million to sign the Aston Villa talisman and other options were looked at.
The two players are slightly different in their styles. It’s felt that Awoniyi could strike up a similar rapport with the supporters, however, if he’s given a proper chance at the club.
Forest scouted Awoniyi meticulously
The talented striker hasn’t really had a proper chance to make a name for himself at the City Ground yet. He did score the team’s first goal back in the top-flight though, during a 1-0 win over West Ham.
It will perhaps delight supporters that Forest aren’t making signings that are considered off the cuff. Awoniyi was watched for months and that should put some of the more cynical supporters at ease.
Awoniyi deserves a run of games in the team. Steve Cooper has opted to play without a striker in the last three fixtures and that has seen Forest lacking a focal point.
Given how hard Forest pushed to sign, it’s time that Forest gave the man with four international caps a chance to prove himself.
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