West Ham scouts 'alerted' to 'strong and pacey' £21m attacker

West Ham United scouts ‘have been alerted’ to Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi following an outstanding campaign in German football, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a return to the Premier League in recent weeks after departing Liverpool for just £6.5 million in the summer after failing to break into the first-team picture.

Awoniyi arrived at Anfield back in 2015 but failed to make a single senior appearance for the Reds, embarking on a series of loan spells instead, including stints at NEC Nijmegen, KAA Gent and Mainz.

However, the Nigeria international, who has been described as a ‘great player’, appeared to have finally found a home for himself after registering five goals and four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions for Union last term.

His outstanding displays prompted the capital club to make his stay permanent, and Awoniyi has elevated his game to new heights in the current campaign.

So far this season, the 6 foot ace has racked up 21 goal contributions in his 37 outings, firing Urs Fischer’s charges to seventh in the Bundesliga standings and within touching distance of European football.

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According to German newspaper Bild, though, Awoniyi’s dominant displays have caught the eye of several Premier League clubs, with Union placing a £21m price tag on their prized asset.

Newcastle United and Southampton are the teams credited with an interest in the skilful forward alongside the Hammers in what could become a hotly contested tussle for his services.

O’Rourke believes that Awoniyi would ‘improve’ the current options upfront at West Ham and reckons multiple top-flight clubs will be ‘keeping tabs’