Report: Newcastle had been watching 24-year-old, but now he's set to join Nottingham Forest instead

By Sam Preston

Newcastle have watched Taiwo Awoniyi in their search for a new striker but he now looks set to join Nottingham Forest.

The Athletic claim that the 24-year-old is among the frontmen that were on Newcastle’s radar going into the summer transfer window.

But it has been reported this week that Awoniyi is close to moving to Steve Cooper’s newly-promoted side instead, for a fee around £17.5 million.

Newcastle could surely have afforded that price, and should have been able to put together a package beyond what Forest can offer in respect of personal terms.

Newcastle watched Awoniyi

With all due respect to Forest – and they could just have moved quickly – that indicates that Newcastle were not 100 per cent convinced with what they saw.

But if Awoniyi does hit the heights in the Premier League, it is not just the Magpies who could have potential regrets.

Liverpool sold him for £6.5 million, after a host of loan spells and he never played a game at Anfield.

But Jurgen Klopp apparently remains a fan and can see him being a big threat in the Premier League, where Forest have charged him with scoring the goals to keep them up.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ivan Toney are also named in the report as two other strikers who have been considered, but Newcastle have been put off by asking prices over £50 million for each of them.

Awoniyi seems to be a more affordable alternative for Forest, although it cannot be ruled out that Union Berlin would have upped their demands if Newcastle came calling.

Progress has stalled over Hugo Ekitike, with the striker now reportedly not answering Newcastle’s calls, with the hunt for a new frontman no closer to being over.