Liverpool set to profit as Premier League clubs fight to sign 17 goal striker

Liverpool could make a healthy profit after reports say that West Ham United, Southampton and Newcastle United are interested in signing former Reds player Taiwo Awoniyi.

According to Soccernet.ng, as cited by LFC Transfer Room's Twitter account, a host of Premier League clubs are interested in signing the Union Berlin forward.

The Nigerian publication state that the main clubs interested in the 24-year-old are Newcastle United, West Ham United and Southampton.

Bild also confirmed this news, claiming that Union Berlin have placed a £21m price tag on their star striker.

Anfield Watch Verdict

Liverpool only sold Awoniyi last summer but he's already made a great impression in Germany, scoring 17 goals in all competitions for Union.

When the Reds sold the Nigerian forward for a reported fee of £6.5m last summer, they negotiated a 10% sell-on clause for him, according to Goal.

This means that if the Iron Ones do sell the 24-year-old for their asking price of £21m this summer then Liverpool would receive £2.1m from the German side.

It's a good deal for everyone. Union Berlin make over double what they signed him for and the Reds receive a total of £8.6m for a player that never made an appearance for the club.

Speaking after Liverpool sold him to Union Berlin, as cited by Daily Post, Awoniyi revealed what Jurgen Klopp said to him before he joined the German side.

“He (Klopp) said it was a good thing because he felt like everyone at Union wanted to sign me at the club," said Awoniyi.

“He said it was the most important thing for a young player."

Since leaving Liverpool, Awoniyi made his debut for Nigeria and was their starting striker in this year's African Cup of Nations.

The Union Berlin forward started three of the Super Eagles' four games in the competition, scoring one goal in a 3-1 win over Sudan.