West Ham battling Newcastle, Southampton for ex-Liverpool striker whose value has quadrupled

West Ham are involved in a three-way scrap to sign Taiwo Awoniyi whose valued has almost quadrupled since leaving Liverpool last summer, per a report.

Awoniyi spent six years on the books at Liverpool, though you’ll be forgiven for not remembering the name. The striker, now 24, never once made an appearance for the Reds. Persistent struggles to gain a work permit cut his career in England off at the knees.

Instead, the Nigerian was repeatedly loaned out across the continent before finally landing a permanent move to Union Berlin last summer.

The Bundesliga side forked out £6.5m for his signature, though that now looks a veritable steal.

Taiwo Awoniyi has plundered 16 goals in 35 matches across all competitions this season. His Bundesliga record of 11 in 24 is just one goal shy of a one-in-two ratio.

As such, Goal report he is attracting interest from Premier League trio West Ham, Newcastle and Southampton.

Given his goalscoring exploits in Germany, the trio are reportedly ‘prepared to pay £25m’ for his services. A deal in that range would be just under four times what Liverpool sold him for just nine months ago.

The obvious question is if Liverpool couldn’t secure a work permit for Awoniyi, how would the other English sides?

Awoniyi work permit now gettable

That is answered in the piece with it explained his new status as a full Nigeria international would now make securing a work permit a simpler process. Awoniyi has featured four times for the Super Eagles since making his senior debut in October.

From the player’s end, Awoniyi is deemed ‘keen’ to finally make his mark in England.

Speaking to German outlet Kicker in February, the striker explained why it’s his dream to return to England.

“The Premier League is my dream,” said Awoniyi. “Everyone knows that, including here in the club [Union Berlin].

“If I lived in England, it would be easier for my wife and child, just by myself because of the language. Also, my sister and a brother live on the island.”

What’s more, Liverpool will be hopeful he does get the chance to finally prove himself in the Premier League.

It’s noted the Reds inserted a 10 percent sell-on clause in his move to Union Berlin.

As such, if he moved for £25m, that would add £2.5m to the £6.5m they received for a player who never made a single appearance in six years at Anfield.