Nottingham Forest transfer might help Ipswich fill a January void

admin | January 5, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Andrew Omobamidele hasn’t had a fair crack at the whip at Nottingham Forest since joining on deadline day from Norwich City in the summer, but he could be on the move as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to trim his bloated roster.

Omobamidele made his Norwich debut as an 18-year-old after joining from Irish club Leixlip United in 2019. He quickly established himself as one of the best young players to pass through Carrow Road in recent years, with Max Aarons, Emi Buendia, and James Maddison.

His move to the East Midlands was widely anticipated, but in the cutthroat business of the Premier League, he’s struggled to earn game time, which might pave the way for a return to the Championship. And, with Norwich’s rivals Ipswich performing so well in the league, their worst fears may be realized if Kieran McKenna’s men opt to depart.

Andrew Omobamidele has been tipped to exit Nottingham Forest

It will undoubtedly break hearts at Carrow Road, but a loan move away from Forest appears to be in the cards, with the new Reds boss preferring to work with smaller squads. Steve Cooper’s summer signing has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League, and with his new manager expected to reduce his playing roster, Omobamidele could be released in the coming weeks.

According to Tom Collomosse of The Daily Mail, the Irishman, along with Nuno Tavares and the already-departed Andrey Santos, who has returned to Chelsea, are among a select group of players who’may no longer be at Forest’ by the time the January transfer window closes.

After paying a reported fee of £11 million for his services at the start of the season, and at the age of just 21, one would have to assume Nuno doesn’t believe in the star enough to sanction a permanent move from the City Ground, and thus a Championship loan – where he already has 45 appearances to his name – could well be sanctioned, potentially bringing Ipswich into the conversation.

A move to Ipswich would be ideal for Andrew Omobamidele

If you overlook Omobamidele’s connection with the Canaries, there aren’t many more appealing options in the Championship right now than a move to the Tractor Boys.

Despite their relative slump over the festive period, with no wins in their previous five league games, they remain a massive 15 points ahead of Sunderland in sixth – and even if automatic promotion isn’t achieved, the Suffolk-based outfit will almost certainly be able to compete for the Premier League beyond the end of the regular season.

With one of the league’s toughest defenses and the league’s second-best offensive behind Leicester, Ipswich are clearly a big name this season, which makes them a big draw for potential targets.

Omobamidele would have to compete for a starting spot with Luke Woolfenden and George Edmundson, as well as Dominic Ball and Axel Tuanzebe. Cameron Burgess is heading to the Asian Cup with Australia for the next month or so, while Edmundson has been linked with a move to League One table-toppers Portsmouth, which would be a surprise considering the two clubs’ current positions.

However, Omobamidele has demonstrated Championship prowess, and his qualities at the back would provide top-tier competition that might inspire Edmundson and Woolfenden to enhance their game.