Exclusive: Mainz Closing in on Loan Deal for Nottingham Forest Striker Taiwo Awoniyi

Taiwo Awoniyi is set to leave Premier League club Nottingham Forest before the close of the January transfer window in his attempt to get regular playing time, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

A loan move is on the cards for the Nigeria international who has played seven league matches in Sean Dyche's team this season and his only start was against Chelsea on October 18.

He has not played any Premier League match this year but he came off the bench in Forest's 4-3 loss to Wrexham in the FA Cup on January 9.

Lorenzo Lucca's imminent arrival at City Ground from Napoli has made Awoniyi fall out of favour and he is in a race to find a place to revive his career before the February 2 deadline. 

Awoniyi still has a year and a half left on his current deal, leaving the Reds with an option to loan and an opportunity to cash in on the Nigerian. 

MAINZ SHOW INTEREST FOR AWONIYI

German Bundesliga side Mainz 05 have registered their interest in Awoniyi and have opened talks with Nottingham Forest to re-sign their former striker.

Awoniyi was previously on loan at Mainz from Liverpool for the 2019-20 season and his former coach at Union Berlin, Urs Fischer, who is now in charge of the 05ers, wants the Super Eagles striker in his team.

Mainz are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the German top division this season and Awoniyi's addition could be a boost in their fight against relegation.

The 28-year-old is no stranger to German football and he has enjoyed his best scoring run in the Bundesliga with 21 goals in 64 matches for Mainz 05 and Union Berlin combined.

Awoniyi has been linked with a move away from Nottingham Forest over the last two transfer windows, even telling SportsBoom he was confident of fighting for his place. But with opportunities limited, it’s now time for him to leave and chase regular first-team minutes elsewhere.