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West Ham discuss move to sign Taiwo Awoniyi

West Ham United are in discussion to sign Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi in the January transfer window. 

The Hammers are looking to bolster their forward department, especially after Michail Antonio’s accident.

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug is also currently out with a hamstring injury. Jarrod Bowen is back on the grass, but new manager Graham Potter needs strikers who can guarantee goals.

According to journalist Jack Rosser, the Hammers initially made a loan approach to sign Awoniyi, but a permanent move has been discussed recently.

Forest would demand a fee of around £20 million for the 27-year-old striker.

The Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel claims that Forest are reluctant to sell Awoniyi, but a big offer could tempt them to do business.

The matter has been complicated by the fact that if Forest sell him in January, they will have to find a replacement for him.

West Ham have struggled with recruiting a top-level striker over the years, and the same problem still persists.

In recent weeks, the Hammers have been linked with a move for Marcus Rashford, but Jacob Steinberg says that their chances of signing the Manchester United forward on loan are next to nothing.

West Ham have spent money on players like Javier Hernandez, Gianluca Scamacca, Sebastien Haller, Albian Ajeti, Jordan Hugill, and Lucas Perez among others, but none of them made a big impact. It is Antonio who has carried the onerous burden of scoring for the Hammers over the years.

Marseille forward Elye Wahi is also under consideration for the Hammers.

Antonio is set for a long spell on the sidelines after breaking his leg in the unfortunate car accident, and Potter does not have enough options in the forward department.

Danny Ings remains the club’s only fit striker, but he has been very poor since he moved from Aston Villa.

Potter reflected ahead of West Ham’s match against Fulham that panic buying a player in the January window will not solve the club’s problems, but signing a new forward has become necessary.

Awoniyi could become Potter’s first signing if the Hammers can agree a deal, but striking a deal in January looks complicated.

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