Liverpool ready to end striker’s woeful loan with European clubs lurking
Liverpool are reportedly ready to end striker Taiwo Awoniyi’s dreadful loan spell at Mainz and find him another move away after being unable to find regular game time for the Bundesliga club.
Awoniyi, who moved to Anfield in 2015, is yet to get a glimpse of game time on Merseyside due to his inability to secure a work permit, meaning his time with the Reds has consisted of several loan moves.
His best form has been in two stints with Belgian side Mouscron, where he scored 10 goals in the 2017/18 campaign before returning in January last year and adding 11 goals in 15 outings.
However, his latest move to Mainz has seen him appear only six times in the Bundesliga – once as a starter – racking up only 146 minutes of action in the process.
According to Goal, Liverpool are ready to terminate the deal and find him another move elsewhere for the second half of the campaign.
The source says that while Awoniyi would prefer to stay in Germany, there are a host of other clubs from across Europe who have registered interest.
Ligue 1 sides Nimes, Montpellier and Brest are said to have made inquiries, as are Greek giants Olympicos, Turkish club Besiktas and La Liga-based Leganes and Real Mallorca.
Liverpool will reportedly meet with representatives from interested parties in the coming days as they look to find the best solution to Awoniyi’s situation.
Awoniyi’s struggles have come following a turbulent summer which began when the striker – drafted into plans to attend the Reds’ pre-season tour of the USA – suffered a thigh injury and subsequently pulled out.
The Nigerian did not return to full fitness until mid-August and by then, Mainz had signed Hungarian attacker Adam Szalai, who has remained above Awoniyi in the battle for game time this season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp encouraged Awoniyi to make Mainz his “home” – as the German himself did – but it has not worked out for the 22-year-old.
Elsewhere, Liverpool have reportedly rejected a proposal from Roma to sign Xherdan Shaqiri this month.
The two-time Champions League winner has only made 10 appearances for the Reds this term having suffered with various injury problems and due to his status in the squad’s pecking order.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Roma want a loan deal for Shaqiri until the end of the season to cover for Nicolo Zaniolo, who has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
However, Liverpool flatly refused the offer as they look to keep their squad as they hunt a first league title in 30 years.
