(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Sat 18 April 2026 7:30, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Taiwo Awoniyi could be allowed to leave Nottingham Forest at the end of the season are falling down the pecking order under Vitor Pereira.

The 28-year-old was left out of the squad as Forest drew 1-1 with Aston Villa last time out, with Chris Wood and Igor Jesus preferred to lead the line.

Pereira is not the only manager not to include the Nigeria international in his plans, however, as he has scarcely been involved from the start across all competitions.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest could cash in on Awoniyi if he fails to gain the trust of his new manager.

Given the attacking options at Pereira’s disposal, there is a growing feeling that the striker is not part of his plans, and he could leave as part of a busy transfer window at Forest.

Could Nottingham Forest accept offers for Taiwo Awoniyi?

Brown told Football Insider last month that Nottingham Forest want to sign a new striker amid concerns about their current options as they aim to land a reliable goalscorer.

The arrival of a new forward would likely spell the end of Awoniyi’s spell at the City Ground as he would be forced even further down the pecking order.

After Pereira confirmed he believes Wood and Jesus can offer more to his team than the Nigeria international, there is a growing feeling he will be moved on.

“Nottingham Forest will be prepared to let Awoniyi move on,” Brown told Football Insider.

“While he’s been there, he’s not been consistent enough, and every now and then he can do something positive but then he’ll fade away again.

“If Chris Wood and Igor Jesus are fit, he’s not going to have a role to play there, and now the manager has pretty much come out and said that.

“He came in when there were injuries and did fine, but unfortunately I’m not convinced he’s the type of striker you want to rely on in the Premier League.

“On a given day, he can do something impressive, but there’s a reason he hasn’t managed to make an impact under any of the managers they’ve had this season.

“So if they can raise some money from him in the summer, I expect they will be prepared to let him go and then they can use the money elsewhere.”

How could Awoniyi stay at Nottingham Forest?

Despite having been pushed down the pecking order at the City Ground, it is not certain that Awoniyi will depart this summer, with ongoing speculation about his teammates.

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Jesus could leave Nottingham Forest in favour of a move to another European club when the window opens.

The striker’s lack of goals in the Premier League compared to his Europa League form has become a concern, with his consistency under questioning.

Jesus has found the net just three times in 31 Premier League games, compared to his seven goals in 10 in Europe, leading to speculation he could be allowed to move on.

A number of clubs on the continent have been impressed by his displays, however, and would be willing to poach him, potentially opening the door for Awoniyi to return.