U17 World Cup-winning coach Garba sends transfer message to Awoniyi amid Forest links with Evanilson

2013 Fifa U17 World Cup-winning coach and one of Nigeria's most respected youth team coaches, Manu Garba has warned his former pupil Taiwo Awoniyi against leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the season.

Since the beginning of the 2024-2025 campaign, Awoniyi has struggled for minutes at Nottingham Forest, fueling speculation about his future amid Chris Wood's impressive performances.

The two-time European champions are reportedly in the hunt for a striker ahead of the reopening of the transfer window, and Bournemouth’s Evanilson has been identified as a player of interest.

The potential signing of Evanilson could push Awoniyi further down Nuno Espirito Santo's pecking order of center forwards at the City Ground.

With Nottingham Forest all but guaranteed European football next season, Manu Garba has advised Awoniyi to stick with the Reds, who will require a bigger squad for European competition.

Garba acknowledged the challenges players face when coming back from injury, particularly when their rival for a starting spot is in strong form. 

"He's had a couple of injuries. Normally, when you're coming back from injury and another player is performing well, it can be difficult to break back into the team," Manu Garba told allnigeriasoccer.com.

Garba also shared his thoughts on Awoniyi's next steps, advising the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup winner to avoid frequent club changes.

Nottingham Forest became Awoniyi's eighth club since turning professional, following stints with Liverpool, FSV Frankfurt, NEC, Royal Excel Mouscron, KAA Gent, Mainz 05 and Union Berlin. 

"For me, changing clubs too often isn't ideal. It's better for him to stay at Nottingham Forest. 

"They have a good chance of playing in the Champions League or Europa League next season, so my advice is to stick with Forest — unless the club decides otherwise," Garba said. 

Awoniyi, who will enter the last two years of his contract with Nottingham Forest on July 1, has scored 19 goals in 81 all-competition appearances for the club.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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