Taiwo Awoniyi has been linked with Celtic and Rangers (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Star, Celtic have been linked with a move for Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi, with Hoops boss Neil Lennon keen to add more firepower to his attack. As per the report, Liverpool could demand a fee in the region of £9m for the 23-year-old, who spent the previous campaign on loan at Mainz in the Bundesliga.
It has been claimed that the reigning Scottish champions are wary of widespread interest from other clubs in securing the services of star striker Odsonne Edouard. And that has prompted Celtic to scour the market for alternatives, with Awoniyi emerging as a target.
Taiwo Awoniyi started his footballing education at the Imperial Soccer Academy in Nigeria before joining Liverpool back in 2015.
He has since spent time on loan at four different clubs across the continent – FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Gent, Royal Excel Mouscron (two different spells), and Mainz.
The 23-year-old’s most successful period on loan so far has come at Royal Excel Mouscron in the Belgian top-flight, with the Nigerian U-23 international registering 21 goals and 10 assists in 47 appearances across two separate stints.
He scored once in 12 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz last season before returning to his parent club Liverpool.
Celtic have already roped in Swiss striker Albian Ajeti from West Ham this summer to compete with the likes of Edouard, Patryk Klimala, and Leigh Griffiths for a spot in front of goal.
On the face of it, the Hoops apparently have enough depth in their striking ranks. But things would change dramatically over the next few weeks if Edouard departs Parkhead amid interest from other clubs.
The Scottish giants will surely have their work cut out in replacing the Frenchman, who plundered 27 goals in all competitions last term en route to the club’s ninth straight domestic triumph.
Taiwo Awoniyi already has considerable experience of playing top-flight football in Germany, Holland, and Belgium, with his scoring record in the latter particularly impressive. It’s hard to predict whether he would be able to step into Edouard’s shoes. But the Nigerian’s exploits on his previous loan spells suggest that he can be a handy signing for the Hoops.
Celtic should only firm up their interest in Taiwo Awoniyi if they end up losing Edouard this summer, considering that they have already got the likes of Klimala, Ajeti, and Griffiths. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is only going to get better with time and Celtic would have a real gem on their hands if Neil Lennon manages to extract the best out of him.