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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
David Lynch

Liverpool edge closer to sale of £8m striker who has never made debut

Liverpool are edging closer to offloading Taiwo Awoniyi with the striker attracting interest from clubs across Europe this summer.

Awoniyi has been loaned out on seven separate occasions since signing for the Reds in August 2015, enjoying stints in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

But the £8m-rated forward would be eligible to make his long-awaited Liverpool debut next season after recently earning a UK work permit.

However, with a number of clubs vying for his signature on a permanent basis, it appears unlikely that Awoniyi will ever feature under Jurgen Klopp.

The ECHO understands that Belgian outfit Anderlecht - managed by former Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany - have already had a €5m bid rejected this summer.

Despite that interest, the player's preference is to either continue in the German Bundesliga, where he has spent the last two campaigns, or remain in the UK.

That remains possible, with Union Berlin and Mainz keen after Awoniyi impressed during recent loan stints, though the latter's attempts to strike another temporary deal were rejected.

West Bromwich Albion also hold an interest, with their new manager Valerien Ismael having kept tabs on the 23-year-old during his time at Barnsley.

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Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is also said to be a fan, though the Scottish champions' need for striking reinforcements will be dictated by Alfredo Morelos' uncertain future.

With Awoniyi generating such strong interest in the early days of the transfer window, it seems unlikely that he will play a significant role in Liverpool's pre-season plans.

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