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Liverpool have missed out on both Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo as they chase midfield reinforcements and they have now reportedly moved close to signing Stuttgart’s captain, Japanese international midfielder Wataru Endo, instead. The move comes as a surprise with Endo boasting little top-flight experience after moving to Stuttgart in 2020 from Sint-Truiden.
Liverpool are close to signing Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo, according to reports.
Endo is a 30-year-old Japanese international who can operate as a defensive midfielder and also as a central defender.
The player has been given permission to travel to Liverpool to complete the transfer, according to The Athletic, who are one of several outlets to report on the deal.
Endo would be a surprise signing for the club given the player, Stuttgart’s captain, has only been playing in the Bundesliga since 2020 after joining from Belgian side Sint-Truiden after spending the early stages of his career in his native Japan.
Stuttgart finished 16th in Bundesliga last season as Endo turned out 40 times for the side, scoring six times.
With a year left on his contract, he will likely be significantly cheaper than both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with the Ecuadorian already a Chelsea player, and Lavia set to complete a £58 million deal to Stamford Bridge after reportedly starting his medical with the London club on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp had wanted to sign one of Caicedo or Lavia after losing James Milner, Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson in the transfer window, and had signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton as one replacement, and Dominik Szoboszlai as the other from RB Leipzig.
