Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Union Berlin over the signing of powerful striker Taiwo Awoniyi, according to The Guardian. The ex-Liverpool striker is thought to be very keen on a return to the Premier League this summer.
The Nigerian talisman signed for the Bundesliga side based in the capital during last summer’s transfer window. He spent the season previous on loan with the top-flight outfit.
Awoniyi has caught the eye during his time with the club. Last season he came of age as a centre forward, scoring 20 goals and claiming five assists for Union Berlin.
Naturally, that has caught the eye of several clubs. It is thought that Forest will have competition for the player who is valued at £17 million by his current employers.
Awoniyi signed for Liverpool in 2015. He joined from the Imperial Academy in Nigeria but struggled to get himself a work permit due to the fact that he wasn’t a full international.
The 24-year-old endured a frustrating time of things at Anfield. He was denied a work permit on several occasions and made loan moves to six different clubs across Europe.
Awoniyi has spent time with Frankfurt, Nijmegen, Gent, Royal Excel Mouscron, Mainz and Berlin prior to making his permanent switch to Union last summer.
Forest will be in the market for a striker this summer. Lewis Grabban has been offered a new deal by the Reds but Keinan Davis is heading back to Aston Villa.
Sam Surridge will therefore be the club’s only senior striker ahead of next season and he’s unproven in the top flight.
Forest in talks with Awoniyi and he looks like an exciting player
Scoring 20 goals in the Bundesliga is a fantastic achievement. The German top-flight is viewed as a really competitive league and with that in mind, it bodes well for Forest.
Perhaps more crucially, the player is now a three-time full international. As a result, his work permit should be a foregone conclusion and a move to England should be obtainable.
Awoniyi is currently represented by ROOF. Their client base includes world-class stars like Sadio Mane, Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry.
Forest would be a getting a lethal goalscorer if they can land Awoniyi. At 24, he should continue improving and as a result, he would be an exciting signing for the Reds to make this summer.