Nottingham Forest have agreed a fee with Union Berlin for forward Taiwo Awoniyi ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League in 2022/23.
Forest are keen to invest after sealing promotion via the Championship play-offs and Awoniyi has proven himself at top flight level by netting 15 goals in the Bundesliga during the recently concluded 2021/22 campaign.
Only five players, including Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland, outscored Awoniyi over the course of the season and Union Berlin secured a fifth place finish, enough for entry directly into the Europa League group stage – their first time in the competition for 21 years.
Once a deal goes ahead, 90min understands that Liverpool will be entitled to a ‘significant’ sell-on fee. Awoniyi was under contract at Anfield until as recently as last summer when the Reds agreed a permanent transfer with Union Berlin at the end of a successful loan.
Listen now to 90min’s Talking Transfers podcast, with Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey, Harry Symeou & Toby Cudworth. On the latest show they discuss Raheem Sterling & Gabriel Jesus’ futures, Chelsea’s interest in Jules Kounde & Robert Lewandowski plus Man Utd’s Frenkie de Jong pursuit. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
Awoniyi had joined Liverpool as a teenager in 2015 after previously turning out for Imperial Academy in his native Nigeria. But he never made a first-team appearance for the club and spent time on loan at six different clubs – including Union Berlin – in three countries.
Staying on the subject of Liverpool, Forest are seeking to sign Neco Williams from the Merseyside club this summer – Liverpool will allow a loan and they are hopeful of beating Fulham to a deal. 90min previously revealed that Tottenham are confident of beating Forest to the permanent signing of Djed Spence, which had forced Steve Cooper’s side to look at alternatives.
