Premier League side Nottingham Forest are nearing an agreement with Brazilian outfit Botafogo to sign three players — left back Cuiabano, central defender Jair Cunha, and striker Igor Jesus — a move that casts doubt over Taiwo Awoniyi’s future at the club.
Igor Jesus joined Botafogo in July 2024 following a pre-contract agreement signed earlier in the year. He arrived on a free transfer from UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli and made an immediate impact, helping the Brazilian club win both the Série A title and the Copa Libertadores in his debut season, contributing eight goals and five assists.
The Brazilian striker, who has also been deployed on either wing, has continued his impressive form this season, netting seven goals and registering one assist in 23 appearances across all competitions.
The potential signing of Igor Jesus appears to be a smart move for Nottingham Forest, who, despite slipping from a top-four position last season, still secured a place in the UEFA Conference League — a significant achievement for the club nonetheless.
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Chris Wood’s dip in form was a key factor in Nottingham Forest’s slide down the table. The 33-year-old initially enjoyed a prolific run, scoring 18 Premier League goals in his first 25 matches, but managed just two more in his final 12 appearances, an alarming drop that significantly hampered the team’s attacking output.
The New Zealand striker is understandably nearing the latter stages of his career, making it essential for Nottingham Forest to secure another reliable option to lead the attack, especially with the demands of European football on the horizon.
What does this mean for the future of Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi?
Taiwo Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest in 2022 and enjoyed an impressive debut Premier League campaign with 10 goals and one assist in just 17 starts. However, his output declined since then, with injuries and inconsistency affecting his form and availability.
The following season, the Nigerian striker recorded six goals and three assists in 12 starts and this season, he has scored only two goals across all competitions, his lowest tally since the 2019-20 season.
Given his declining output, Nottingham Forest may consider cashing in on Awoniyi, especially with a third striker potentially joining the squad. While they will have a busy fixture schedule, including European commitments, increased competition for places could further limit opportunities for the Nigerian forward.
Still just 27 years of age, Awoniyi is approaching his prime, and a departure from Forest could be mutually beneficial — offering him the chance to play regularly elsewhere while providing the club with funds to invest in new signings.
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