Aston Villa could bring in their new Christian Benteke with Taiwo Awoniyi swoop

Add as preferred source on Google

Aston Villa are reportedly on the hunt for new players and have been scouting in Europe ahead of potential summer transfer plans. As reported by La Derniere Heure, and relayed by the Birmingham Mail, they took in the Royal Excelsior Mouscron v Cercle Brugge game at the weekend. The report also stated that Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi was potentially the reason for the visit.

Back in the summer of 2015, Liverpool decided to bring in the talented Nigerian attacker with a fee of £400,000 paid for his services, as reported by The Guardian.

In the summer he signed a new deal at Liverpool and was loaned out to fellow Belgian side KAA Gent. As reported by TEAMtalk, the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City were keen so Liverpool secured his Anfield future.

This came after an excellent season last term at Mouscron. But he struggled at Gent and returned to Excelsior in the winter. His form since has been sensational. The 21-year-old has scored four goals and provided two assists in his five games back at his former loan club.

If Aston Villa fans are looking for a reference point, then the Nigerian starlet is looking as good in Belgian football as a certain Christian Benteke once did. The pair share similar styles. Strong in the air, excellent at holding up the play but also surprisingly athletic, Awoniyi has all the attributes to be a Championship success with Aston Villa. Of course, Benteke ended up heading in the other direction, going from Aston Villa to Liverpool.

With Tammy Abraham’s loan deal expiring at the end of the season, Aston Villa would be right to target another sensational loan striker from the Premier League. One issue Aston Villa would have is his work permit situation, which is one of the main reasons why Liverpool have been loaning him out across Europe so far.

But if they could solve that issue then Awoniyi would be a perfect recruit for Aston Villa in the summer.