Nottingham Forest have emerged as the reported front-runners to sign 18‑year‑old Nigerian forward Abdoulaye Agbejoye, according to media outlets tracking the progress of the teenager. The club faces competition from German side Bayer Leverkusen, with sources close to the player saying a move abroad is imminent and a deal is close to being finalised.
From Grassrunners FC to European interest
Agbejoye, who currently plays for Nigerian academy side Grassrunners FC, has been one of the standout performers this summer in youth competitions. He finished as top scorer and was named Player of the Tournament in the Nigerian Youth League Cup, achievements that have helped raise his profile among scouts in Europe.
He was also part of the Flying Eagles squad that finished second at the 2026 WAFU B U‑20 Championship in Ivory Coast, where Nigeria were beaten by Burkina Faso in the final. Those performances have prompted comparisons with Premier League marksman Erling Haaland because of Agbejoye’s size, physicality and running power.
What Nottingham Forest could be buying
- Age: 18
- Current club: Grassrunners FC (Nigeria)
- Recent honours: Nigerian Youth League Cup top scorer & Player of the Tournament; part of Nigeria U‑20 side at WAFU B finals
- Reported suitors: Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen
Nottingham Forest supporters will be conscious that the club has in recent seasons invested in identifying young talent abroad. Any deal for Agbejoye would follow that pattern — recruiting a prospect with the potential to develop in the club’s environment before stepping up to senior football.
"We have another top forward in the mould of the late, great Rashidi Yekini. I still call him King Yekini because ever since he passed away, there has been a massive vacuum in Nigerian football. But with his playing style, I believe we will soon have a proper replacement for him in the national team. Hopefully, he will be heading abroad very soon. He is performing exceptionally well and is actively being monitored. Now that he has earned a call-up to the national team, things should move even faster."
The quote, given to football outlets by a source close to the player and carried in media coverage, underlines the expectation in Nigeria that Agbejoye could take a fast track to European club football and a future role in the senior national team.
Local consequences and what to watch next
For Nottingham Forest, the recruitment of a teenager of this profile would be consistent with a strategy of blending experienced signings with young prospects who can be developed at the City Ground. Manager Oliver Glasner and his coaching staff would need to consider how quickly Agbejoye could be integrated into Premier League football, and whether the club would prefer to loan him for adaptation in a European environment or bring him straight into the first‑team setup.
Supporters will also be mindful of the challenges younger players face when moving abroad: adapting to a new culture, higher intensity, and physical demands. If Forest do secure Agbejoye, the coming months will be about supporting his transition and managing expectations, both locally and within the club’s development pathways.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player | Abdoulaye Agbejoye |
| Age | 18 |
| Current club | Grassrunners FC (Nigeria) |
| Reported interest | Nottingham Forest, Bayer Leverkusen |
At this stage the reports indicate interest and optimism rather than a completed transfer. Club and agent statements, plus any official paperwork, would be required to confirm the move. For Nottingham Forest fans tracking signings ahead of the new season, Agbejoye’s name is one to watch — a young forward already attracting cross‑continental attention.
The next likely developments to monitor are official confirmation from the clubs, any announcement from Grassrunners FC, or comments from the player’s representatives. Until then, the picture remains one of strong interest and potential rather than certainty.
