The surprising reason that Nuno Espirito Santo wants to keep Taiwo Awoniyi with West Ham lurking

Add as preferred source on Google

With Nottingham Forest flying in the Premier League, it comes as no surprise that the club wants to keep hold of the star players that have got them there.

The Forest squad is littered with star performers this season, with prolific scorer Chris Wood leading the way after his goal against Liverpool maintained Forest’s unbeaten start to 2025.

Wood has been offered a new Forest contract in an attempt to keep hold of the Kiwi international, but he’s not the only one Forest are trying to maintain.

Morgan Gibbs-White is seen as another crucial cog in Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, with Forest trying to sign Gibbs-White to a new deal before the elite sides in football swoop in for the attacking midfielder.

Forest also want to keep Ola Aina as a priority as he has shone at right-back this season, but it’s not just the starting members of the squad Espirito Santo wants to keep.

Forest intend to keep Taiwo Awoniyi despite interest from West Ham in January, with a recent report revealing the surprising reason that the Forest manager wants to retain the Nigerian striker.

Taiwo Awoniyi has a ‘key’ role to play under Nuno Espirito Santo

According to The Athletic, Espirito Santo still regards Awoniyi as an important member of the Forest squad despite his struggles in front of goal this season.

Wood praised Awoniyi’s hard work in training after the forward scored against Wolves in January, but that was his first goal of the season having been limited to just two starts in the Premier League.

Despite this, the report said: “Forest do not want to see any key figures depart and Nuno regards Awoniyi in that bracket.”

To label Awoniyi as a key figure in the squad is contradictory to his minutes on the pitch, suggesting that the Nigerian’s impact at Forest is more prevalent off the field.

Espirito Santo still trusts Awoniyi to deliver when called upon, but the report did suggest a set of circumstances that could see the club change their stance on keeping the striker.

Nottingham Forest could still sell Taiwo Awoniyi

The report continued, suggesting that a particular fee could tempt Forest into selling Awoniyi in January.

It said: “Forest will not consider selling Awoniyi unless somebody makes an offer that is well in excess of the fee they paid for him two and a half years ago, with his contract set to run until 2027.”

Forest paid £18 million for Awoniyi in 2022 when he scored 11 Premier League goals to help Forest stay up under Steve Cooper.

Given his downturn in form as the seasons have gone on at the City Ground, it’s unlikely that Evangelos Marinakis will receive an offer “well in excess” of £18 million unless Awoniyi can find a level of form.

Forest’s interest in Yoane Wissa looks to balance on the future of Awoniyi but the Forest owner’s demand for a fee over the original price looks set to keep Awoniyi at the club and end any interest in Wissa.