Liverpool are closing in on signing 18 million euros Japanese defensive midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart after the Reds suffered a huge blow in the pursuit of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
The Reds were beaten by Chelsea to the signature of Caicedo and Lavia despite agreeing a deal with their clubs for the two players, only for them to consider joining the Blues instead.
What happened to Liverpool?
Liverpool have been searching for a defensive midfielder after selling Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq and Fabinho to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Arabia Pro League.
The 2020 Premier League-winning club have secured the acquisition of 22-year-old Dominik Szoboszlai of Hungary, from RB Leipzig, and 24-year-old Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina, from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer. But both players are more attack-minded options.
Jurgen Klopp had hoped to acquire one of Caicedo or Lavia, following the departures of James Milner, Naby Keita, and Jordan Henderson during the summer window.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund manager has looked elsewhere and Stuttgart’s Endo emerged as Liverpool’s next summer signing.
Therefore, a medical has been scheduled for the 30-year-old Japanese defensive midfielder on Thursday, 17th of August, as Liverpool looks to wrap up the transfer.
Wataru Endo who is the Stuttgart and Japanese national team captain has already agreed on personal terms with the Anfield outfit and belief that the move will be the greatest opportunity of his career.
The 30-year-old Japanese player still has less than a year on his current contract with the Germain club side, he has made 133 appearances for the club since joining on an initial loan deal in 2019 from Belgian club Sint Truiden before making a permanent move in 2020.
Since then Endo has appeared in 133 games for the Germain outfit, scoring 15 goals, and providing 9 assists in the Germain Bundesliga before being named the club captain.
The midfielder, who is renowned for his work ethic and tackling prowess, played a significant role in helping Stuttgart avoid relegation from the Bundesliga in each of the last two seasons.
Endo played 40 times for Stuttgart last season, scoring six goals as Stuttgart finished 16th in the Germain Bundesliga standings.
With a contract that expires next summer, Crystal Palace has previously expressed interest in signing Endo, and they even considered doing so in January.
Endo, 30, the Japanese national team player is a versatile player who can play as a central defender and as a defensive midfielder.
He has been permitted by his club to travel to Liverpool to complete the transfer.
Endo would be a surprising addition to the team given that he has only been playing in the Bundesliga since 2020 after moving from Belgian club Sint-Truiden at the beginning of his career in his home country of Japan.
Wataru Endo will likely cost less than Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the Ecuadorian who is currently a member of the Chelsea team, and Lavia is expected to sign a £58 million contract with Stamford Bridge after reportedly beginning his medical on Wednesday, 16th of August.
On the other hand, Liverpool have also been linked with Sofyan Amrabat and Ryan Gravenberch as the club still has two spaces available for non-homegrown players in their Premier League squad for the ongoing season.
What’s next for Liverpool?
The Reds will continue their 2023/2024 Premier League campaign as they’ll host Bournemouth at Anfield Stadium on Saturday, 19th of August, 2023, by 15:00 (GMT).
