Premier League side Nottingham Forest have emerged as the leading contenders to sign highly rated Nigerian youngster Abdoulaye Agbejoye, with the Flying Eagles striker attracting widespread attention following his impressive performances for club and country.
The 18-year-old Grassrunners FC forward has established himself as one of Nigeria’s brightest attacking prospects and is already drawing comparisons to Erling Haaland due to his towering 6ft 5in frame, explosive pace, and clinical finishing.
Forest scouts have been closely monitoring Agbejoye throughout the season, including his performances at the ongoing WAFU B U-20 Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, where he has continued to enhance his growing reputation.
The powerful striker enjoyed a standout campaign in Nigeria before the tournament, finishing as both the top scorer and Player of the Tournament in the Nigerian Youth League Cup, performances that sparked interest from several European clubs.
Agbejoye has carried that momentum onto the international stage with the Flying Eagles.
He announced himself at the WAFU B U-20 Championship by coming off the bench to score in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Togo during the group stage. The youngster also kept his composure in the semi-final against hosts Côte d’Ivoire, converting one of Nigeria’s penalties in the dramatic shootout victory that secured a place in the final.
Although teammate Abdulmuiz Adeleke currently leads Nigeria’s scoring charts at the tournament, Agbejoye has been one of the standout performers and continues to attract interest from scouts across Europe.
According to reports, Nottingham Forest see the Nigerian as a long-term investment rather than a player expected to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
The club believes the City Ground provides an ideal environment for his development, with fellow Nigerians Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina reportedly playing a role in highlighting the club’s culture and pathway for young players.
German champions Bayer Leverkusen are also understood to be monitoring the teenager, but Forest are believed to be in pole position as the race for his signature gathers pace.
Agbejoye’s unique blend of height, strength, speed, and finishing ability has made him one of the most sought-after young forwards in African football this summer.
With Premier League scouts regularly attending his matches over the past year and interest continuing to grow, the Flying Eagles striker appears increasingly likely to secure a move to Europe in the near future.
Should Nottingham Forest complete the deal, the teenager would join a club with a growing Nigerian influence and gain the opportunity to continue his development in one of the world’s most competitive football environments while taking the next major step in his promising career.
