Liverpool are prepared to offload striker Taiwo Awoniyi as Jurgen Klopp looks to trim his squad ahead of the 2020/21 season, reports Neil Jones.
Jones claims that up to 10 Liverpool players could be sold this summer with Awoniyi among the list of players the club will look to cash in on.
The Daily Star reported on August 26 that Celtic were among a number of teams interest in signing Awoniyi as a potential replacement for Odsonne Edouard.
According to reports, Liverpool could be prepared to listen to offers if their £9 million valuation is met for the Nigeria under-23 international striker.
Reputable Liverpool journalist Jones of publication Goal reports that Liverpool are willing to let Awoniyi go following a number of loan spells away from the club.
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Awoniyi spent last season on loan at Klopp’s former side Mainz having previously endured spells with Royal Excel Mouscron, Gent, NEC and Frankfurt.
This potential outgoing could be of interest to Liverpool given the uncertain future of Celtic goal-machine Edouard who we recently tipped to become a potential target for the club next summer.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 18: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League: First Qualifying Round match between Celtic and KR Reykjavik at Celtic Park on August 18, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Something Liverpool should definitely consider
It is no secret that at some point in the distant future, Liverpool will have to look at revamping their attacking options in an attempt to find the next set of generational talents.
The hardest area for Liverpool to recruit in currently is unquestionably the attack given their front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are as good as any in Europe.
Klopp is aware the dynamic could change in 2021 and the need for another top-quality forward could become a future priority for the club.
With that said, Celtic striker Edouard could become a viable option next year.
He is just 22, scored 27 goals last season while registering an impressive 19 assists. He could be exactly what Liverpool need in 2021.
The Times recently reported that Edouard is considered by Celtic to be worth around £30 million while The Mail estimate that a more recent valuation would be closer to £40 million.
If Liverpool were to offload Awoniyi it could begin initial discussions between the Reds and Celtic where the club can enquire about the availability of Edouard.
It is important that Liverpool remain proactive and look for options to uncover a new dynamic if Liverpool’s current attacking trident were ever to gradually decline in performance levels.
Liverpool have showcased in the past that the club tends to avoid shopping at the top bracket of the market with the club reluctant to pay the extortionate transfer fees that come with world superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz making Edouard a viable possibility given the player’s age and reasonable price-tag.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 29: Odsonne Edouard of Celtic takes on Ryan Kent of Rangers during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on December 29, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland.(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
How could a move open up?
While it is unlikely Liverpool will be willing to splash out on signings given the current financial ramifications that have followed from the ongoing pandemic, landing a respectable fee for Awoniyi could ensure Liverpool are in Celtic’s good books should they look to move for Edouard in the future.
One way for a viable route to open up regarding the signing of Edouard following Celtic’s interest in Awoniyi were if Liverpool were to follow a similar path the club took regarding the signing of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig in 2017 where the Guinean international joined the Reds a year later after his £48 million release clause became active.
As reported by BBC Sport, Liverpool agreed to pay the release clause a year in advance, plus an ‘undisclosed premium’ to guarantee it.
As per terms of the release clause only being activated the following year, he only joined them 12 months later.
This could potentially something Liverpool may look to do if they weren’t willing to invest heavily in Edouard as of yet.
Edouard is worth waiting for, and Liverpool should consider any viable route to land the talented striker.
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