Red-hot Newcastle and West Ham target cheaper than expected as release clause emerges

Newcastle United and West Ham United are both keen on signing Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi – and he could be available cheaper than thought.

Awoniyi may be a familiar name to some Premier League fans who have been in the Liverpool books.

The 24-year-old joined Liverpool in 2015 but never made the first-team for the Reds.

Work permit issues were the main problem and as a result he was loaned out to FSV Frankfurt, NEC Nijmegen, Mouscron, Gent, Mouscron again, Mainz and Union Berlin.

Union secured a permanent contract last summer and Awoniyi has been outstanding this season.

The Nigerian has scored 18 goals and even provided four assists in 39 games.

Awoniyi is now a wanted man. Goal reported earlier this month that both Newcastle and West Ham are looking to sign Awoniyi.

Sky Germany claims that Union were targeting a deal worth around €30m (£25m) for Awoniyi.

However, claim image now that there is indeed a €20m (£16.6m) release clause in Awoniyi’s Union contract.

It is suggested that Liverpool have a sell-out clause of 10% in the £6.5million deal to sell Awoniyi. It’s unclear if this is a fee or just the profit associated with it.

If these new claims are true, this release clause will make Awoniyi all the more attractive to Premier League clubs.

Newcastle already have two proven Premier League strikers in Callum Wilson and Chris Wood, but it’s tempting to add a younger option like Awoniyi.

Meanwhile, West Ham need to sign a striker this summer. Mikhail Antonio desperately needs to back West Ham’s attack and Awoniyi could prove it.

You can certainly imagine other Premier League clubs also scrutinizing Awoniyi as under £17m could be a steal.

In other news, Micah Richards: Liverpool star is ‘unplayable’ at times, Manchester United didn’t know what to do with him