English Premier League club Everton is planning to sign Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi before the end of the January transfer window, reports PUNCH Sports Extra.

According to Italian newspaper Tuttosport (via Everton News), the Merseyside club is considering a short-term move for the Nottingham Forest striker.

The 27-year-old striker has struggled to get playing time for Forest in the English Premier League this season. He has made 18 appearances, with only two of them as starts.

Awoniyi has struggled to get regular playing time for the Reds this season, falling behind top scorer Chris Wood in the pecking order.

Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is hopeful the Nigerian striker can regain his form, but there have been constant rumors linking him to a move away from the City Ground.

“With the January transfer deadline looming, Everton are said to be keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

“The Merseyside club are considering a possible short-term move for the Forest frontman. The 27-year-old is said to be one of several names on the Toffees’ shortlist as they look to bolster their attacking strength, with a cash pot of £33.5m reportedly set to be used to sign two players.”

“Transfers are part of football and there will always be speculation but my focus is entirely on Nottingham Forest,” Awoniyi was quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post.

“This is a team with a lot of potential and I want to be here and help achieve something special. “I’m not thinking about leaving, I’m just thinking about how I can contribute more to the success of this club,” he said.

Earlier this month, the striker ended the club’s 324-day goalless streak in a 3-0 win over Wolves.

Awoniyi will move to the City Ground from Union Berlin in the summer of 2022/23 for his third season at the club.

He shone in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals and providing one assist in 27 appearances, helping save Forest from relegation in his first season there. Last season, he scored six goals and provided three assists in 20 games.