Transfer Hijack: Nottingham Forest Propose Shock Swap to Snatch Tammy Abraham from Villa’s Grasp
The January 2026 transfer window has just been set alight by a daring maneuver from Nottingham Forest. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Premier League, the Tricky Trees have reportedly entered the race for Beşiktaş striker Tammy Abraham, attempting to hijack a deal that many believed was destined for Aston Villa.
The story, broken by Lee Clarke and supported by emerging reports from Turkey, suggests that Sean Dyche is prepared to sanction a “surprising” player-plus-cash deal to secure the 28-year-old forward and solve Forest’s brewing striker crisis.
The Crisis at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest’s sudden aggression in the market is born out of necessity. After a promising start to the 2025/26 campaign, the club’s attacking options have dwindled significantly. Chris Wood remains sidelined following major knee surgery, and the decision to allow Arnaud Kalimuendo to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan has left Igor Jesus as the only fit, senior striker.
With Taiwo Awoniyi struggling for form and yet to find the net this season, Dyche has made it clear to the board that a prolific goalscorer is a non-negotiable requirement for the winter window. Enter Tammy Abraham, who has been revitalized during his stint in Istanbul, netting 13 goals and providing 3 assists in 25 appearances for Beşiktaş.
The Swap Proposal: Wood and Awoniyi on the Table?
What makes Forest’s approach so “surprising” is the reported structure of the deal. According to sources from Sabah and Fanatik, Forest initially explored a swap involving Chris Wood, an offer that was promptly dismissed by the Turkish giants given the New Zealand international’s current injury status.
However, the negotiations took a fascinating turn when Beşiktaş countered by inquiring about Taiwo Awoniyi. While Forest appear open to the idea of using the Nigerian international as a makeweight to land Abraham, the player himself is reportedly hesitant. Awoniyi, despite being out of favor under Dyche, is said to prefer a return to Germany’s Bundesliga should he leave the City Ground this month.
The Villa Factor: A Heart vs. Head Battle
Despite Forest matching the £16m (€18m) valuation set by Roma (who still hold the player’s rights) and indicating they will meet Abraham’s significant wage demands, they face a monumental obstacle: Aston Villa.
Abraham’s affinity for Villa Park is well-documented. Having scored 26 goals during a legendary loan spell in 2018/19 that propelled the club back to the Premier League, the striker has reportedly made Villa his “first choice.” Unai Emery is keen to bring the England international back to the Midlands to provide competition for Ollie Watkins, especially following the departure of Donyell Malen to Roma.
Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı confirmed over the weekend that the club has received an official offer from Villa but noted that their technical staff have identified specific players they want in return—specifically young defender Lamare Bogarde and forward Evann Guessand.
Comparison of the Two Bids
| Feature | Nottingham Forest | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
| Bid Value | £16m (Matched) | £16m (Initial) |
| Swap Components | Awoniyi / Wood (Rejected) | Bogarde / Guessand (Requested) |
| Managerial Pull | Sean Dyche (Guaranteed Starter) | Unai Emery (Rotation/Support) |
| Player Preference | Secondary | Primary Choice |
The Final Sprint
With the February 2 deadline approaching, the race for Abraham has become a high-stakes game of poker. Forest are offering the lure of being the “main man” in a Dyche system that thrives on a physical, target-man striker. Conversely, Villa offer a return to a club he loves and the chance to compete in European football.
As Lee Clarke notes, the “shifting sands of the January market” mean nothing is certain. If Forest can convince Awoniyi to make the move to Turkey, or if they pivot to a straight-cash deal that exceeds Villa’s offer, the City Ground might just witness one of the most remarkable transfer hijacks in recent history.