1FC Union Berlin of Germany striker, Taiwo Awoniyi could be edging closer to his dream debut with Liverpool of England, following his acquisition of a British work permit earlier this week.
The buzz is on for Awoniyi, who joined Liverpool in August 2015 on a fee of around £400,000 two years after helping Nigeria win the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, but he has never played for the Anfield side, due to his inability to get a work permit.
The product of Imperial Football Academy at Odogbolu, Ogun State appeared set for a rosy career with The Reds, who first spotted him playing at a tournament organised by Coca-Cola in London, with the final played at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
It was a Nigerian ex-international, former Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers of England midfielder, Seyi George Olofinjana that first alerted to the lad’s potential, as Awoniyi had spent four years with the star’s academy before heading for Europe.
Liverpool then made a formal move for Awoniyi after seeing him play at the FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand in 2015 and, though he had earlier been billed to trials at Olofinjana’s former club, FF Kalmar of Sweden, they headed instead to Merseyside.
He has, however, has spent the last six years on loan in Germany, Belgium and Holland, before returning to Germany, where has discovered top form over the past two seasons, which might have boosted his successful acquisition of a UK work permit for the 2021/22 season.
Though Awoniyi is yet to be capped at senior level by Nigeria, a report by goal.com added that Liverpool have already launched a bid to hook him this summer, as The Reds have reportedly fielded enquiries from at least seven clubs about Awoniyi’s quality.
The Reds, though, are said to be in competition with Stoke, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion for the youngster, who has spent this campaign with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, where he could be saying good-bye in the coming days, as he and his family have finally been granted UK papers.
That will enable the 23-year-old to continue his career in England, should the opportunity arise. Liverpool plan to involve him in the first part of their pre-season schedule, enabling him to finally train with Jurgen Klopp’s Kop squad and perhaps feature in some friendly fixtures.
That could be boosted by the fact that a host of first-team players will be away on international duties at the European Championship and Copa America; but interest in England is also been rivaled by similar links with VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg and Union Berlin, who have all made informal enquiries about the rave of the moment.
It is now left to be seen what fortune will come Awoniyi’s way, as Liverpool have previously rejected a £5m ($7m) approach from Anderlecht, who remain interested, and it is understood that the Reds’ valuation for Awoniyi stands at around £8m ($11m), given his encouraging performances in the Bundesliga this season.
