Coventry City agree £17m deal for Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi ahead of Premier League return
Coventry City have agreed a deal worth about £17m for Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, with the move expected to be completed before Friday's Premier League opener against Arsenal (BBC Sport).
The transfer fee, reported at around £17.2m, comes just over four years after Forest paid a near-identical £17.2m to sign the Nigerian from Union Berlin — a figure that made him the club's record signing at the time (The Athletic; BBC Sport). Sky Sports also reported that a permanent deal had been agreed between the two clubs (Sky Sports).
For Coventry, the signing is part of a busy summer as they prepare to return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years. Manager Frank Lampard has already brought back midfielder Gus Hamer from Sheffield United and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, whose loan from Brighton last season was a success. New arrivals also include winger Loum Tchaouna from Burnley, defender Aurele Amenda from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi from Nordsjaelland (BBC Sport).
The need for a striker is pressing. Haji Wright, Coventry's main attacking threat, is currently injured, leaving Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms as Lampard's only fit options up front ahead of the Arsenal match (BBC Sport).
Awoniyi's time at Forest has been a story of bright moments overshadowed by injury and competition. He scored 23 goals in 103 games for the club, but last season started just three matches, finding himself behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order. He was even left out of Forest's Europa League squad. Four goals came in 17 appearances across all competitions (BBC Sport).
In May 2025, Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma after rupturing his intestine when he collided with a goalpost during a match against Leicester City. He recovered and returned to action, scoring in a pre-season win alongside new signing Xaver Schlager (BBC Sport; Sky Sports).
For Coventry fans, Awoniyi represents a proven Premier League forward at a time when the squad needs one. For Awoniyi, it is a fresh start at a club with momentum behind it. The deal should be done before Friday night, when Coventry walk out at the Emirates for their first top-flight match in a quarter of a century.
