Regardless of which division they end up planning for this summer, Forest face an important transfer window. Whether they stay up or go down will affect their plans, as will the need to keep within their permitted losses for this financial year.
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Amid the possibility of some player sales being on the cards, Nigerian outlet Soccernet report West Ham have “emerged as a potential destination” for Awoniyi. Should the Reds consider selling, it is said the forward has “a market value of £24 million”
Awoniyi joined Forest in the summer of 2022 from Union Berlin in a £17.5 million deal. He is under contract at the City Ground until 2027.
The Nigeria international has been a key player for the Reds with his tally of 17 goals in 50 appearances. However, his time Trentside has been hampered by injuries.
He has already missed a chunk of this term due to undergoing surgery for a long-standing groin problem. And he could face another few weeks on the sidelines after being dealt a fresh injury blow in the build-up to Forest’s 1-1 draw with Luton Town before the international break.
Awoniyi is not the only Reds player to be attracting admirers as the transfer vultures circle. Attacker Morgan Gibbs-White and Brazilian defender Murillo are also on the radar of other teams.
The written reasons for Forest’s points deduction outlined how the club had “already told” the independent commission it “will not have PSR issues at the end of FY2024 (financial year 2024)”. The Reds are projecting losses of £12-17m for this year, pointing to potential summer sales as they look to get that figure down.
Relegation would inevitably prompt other clubs to come sniffing. But if Forest survive, the need to sell before investing does not necessarily mean there will be a “fire-sale”.
Financial expert Kieran Maguire has explained: “If we assume the losses of £12-17m includes the Brennan Johnson sale, it would appear that a sale of another player before June 30, given that the commission rejected sales after June 30 in respect of Johnson, is needed. It would appear they are going to have to sell somebody before the end of the financial year.
“It’s out of a frying pan and into a fire, to a certain extent. To be fair, it doesn’t matter how big or small a club you are, you are always looking to shift players. Manchester City and Chelsea do the same.
“It’s not a fire-sale. The only downside is word gets out on the street and you get people putting in low-ball bids for players close to the deadline. And then you have the choice of whether to accept below market value for the player or accept a points deduction, or some form of punishment.”
