Liverpool will hand striker Taiwo Awoniyi a new contract before loaning him out overseas again, according to Goal.
The football site claim the Merseyside giants are set to shortly settle terms on a new deal with the Nigerian, 20, and he is then likely to return to Belgium for the 2018-19 season.
Goal report that Awoniyi, who does not yet have a work permit to play in the UK, is the subject of strong interest from Anderlecht and Club Brugge after his successful campaign with Royal Mouscron in 2017-18.
OPINION
Red tape has prevented Awoniyi from being able to represent Liverpool at any level since he joined the club in 2015, and that looks set to continue as he prepares to head out for a fourth loan campaign in four seasons. Nevertheless, the Merseysiders have big plans for the strapping Nigerian, whose tally of 10 goals and eight assists from 31 matches in all competitions for Belgian top-tier club Mouscron demonstrated he is a rising star. It proves he’s a striker who can deliver at a high level and also means he’s on course to earn his senior Nigeria debut, which will clear a major hurdle in his bid to secure a UK work permit. Liverpool will hope that a spell at one of Belgium’s elite clubs can develop Awoniyi even further as he looks to smooth the rough edges to his game. What he has in abundance is pace and power, and these physical tools give him the foundation to be a top centre-forward.
