Aston Villa transfer in doubt as Nottingham Forest 'in talks' over record move

Nottingham Forest are reportedly 'in talks' to signing Taiwo Awoniyi in a move which could come as bad news for Keinan Davis' hopes of returning to the City Ground on a permanent basis.

The Aston Villa striker spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign in the Championship as he helped Forest secure a place in the play-offs, and then win promotion at Wembley in the final against Huddersfield. But as the Reds prepare for life back in the Premier League, they appear close to wrapping up a move for Union Berlin forward Taiwo Awoniyi.

Sister title NottinghamshireLive has reported that Forest had begun talks with the striker, and reports claim that the move has now taken a step further to completion. Transfer insider Jacques Talbot said on Twitter: "Understand Nottingham Forest are in talks to sign Union Berlin forward Taiwo Awoniyi.

"The striker and his agent flew to Athens to speak with the Reds' hierarchy over a possible move. Terms were discussed and seems like there's a mutual willingness to get a deal done."

A move for Awoniyi could block Davis' route back to the City Ground as Villa have reportedly slapped a £15million price tag on him. If the Reds were to buy both forwards, it would eat some way into Cooper's summer budget, as Awoniyi has a release clause in the region of €20m (£17.2m).

After losing players who were loaned in last season like James Garner, Djed Spence and Davis, Forest have a sizeable rebuild on their hands this summer, like the one Villa had back in 2019 when they also won the play-off final. Davis will attract interest from across the Championship if he doesn't seal a move back to Forest this summer, but Villa will be hoping they can recoup a sizeable fee for him and allow him to kick-start