Soccer Football - Bundesliga - 1. FC Union Berlin v FC Cologne - Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, Berlin, Germany - April 1, 2022 1. FC Union Berlin's Taiwo Awoniyi celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Lisi Niesner DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO.
Taking to Twitter, reliable German journalist Christian Falk has confirmed that West Ham are interested in signing Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi.
The lowdown: Unconventional path
Signed by Liverpool for £990,000 from Imperial Academy based in Nigeria in 2015 (Transfermarkt), Awoniyi appeared to have made a dream move to the Premier League.
However, some seven loan spells and multiple failed work permit attempts later and the powerful frontman was no nearer to making a debut for the Merseyside club.
Now eligible to play in the United Kingdom, having joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin in 2021, the 24 year old seems to be a target for several top flight teams.
The latest: Falk confirms Hammers’ interest
According to Falk, the Head of Football at SportBILD, West Ham, Newcastle United and Southampton are all keen on acquiring Awoniyi’s services.
“TRUE. WestHam, NUFC and SouthamptonFC are interested in Taiwo Awoniyi. The striker has a release clause of 20m€.”
That suggested €20m (£16.7million) would see Berlin make slightly over £10million in profit on the nomadic centre-forward once praised for his ‘selfless’ hard work by compatriot and Bolton Wanderers legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
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The verdict: Get it done
Despite enduring a difficult start to a professional career due to circumstances beyond his control, the three-cap Nigerian striker has now amassed 52 goals from 178 appearances across stints in Germany, Holland and Belgium.
This season Awoniyi has netted 18 times and provided another four assists in 39 outings across all competitions, successfully completing 1.2 (55%) of dribble attempts, winning 1.7 (35%) of his aerial duels and taking 2.1 shots per game (Sofascore), all evidence of a well-rounded forward.
He also shouldn’t struggle whatsoever in transitioning back to England, given his immense physical stature.
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As Irons’ boss David Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman prioritise a striker to support Michail Antonio next term, those in charge at the London Stadium would be wise to make an attempt to sign the Nigeria ace at the mooted fee.
In other news: ‘That’s for sure’ – Sky Sports reporter backs big transfer news out of Tottenham, find out more here.
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