The surprising transfer of the Stuttgart captain to Anfield comes after Chelsea defeated the Reds for both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Bundesliga expert Jan Age Fjortoft praised Liverpool’s surprise acquisition of Wataru Endo as “smart” business.The 30-year-old Japan international midfielder was a great surprise to the Reds on Wednesday night when late news of an agreement with German club Stuttgart for him surfaced.
Liverpool have agreed to pay €18 million (£15.3 million) for Endo, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Endo is reportedly on personal terms as he gets ready to have a medical on Merseyside on Thursday.
With just over two weeks left in the summer transfer window, Liverpool is scrambling to find midfield replacements after losing out to Chelsea twice in a row in the competitions for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo.
They were enraged when Caicedo quickly rejected a move to Anfield in favor of his boyhood club Chelsea, who subsequently increased their own offer and completed a British record £115m transfer on Monday. They had seen a massive £110m proposal for Caicedo accepted by Brighton last week after being encouraged to bid by the player’s entourage.
Lavia later decided to choose Chelsea over Liverpool after the Blues and Southampton reached a £53 million deal on Tuesday that might increase to £58 million with add-ons, dealing another blow to Liverpool. On Wednesday, the 19-year-old went to Cobham for a checkup.
Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace, Joao Palhinha of Fulham, Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Khephren Thuram of Nice, Manu Kone of Borussia Monchengladbach, and Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City are just a few midfielders reportedly on Liverpool’s radar after that double miss. Jurgen Klopp needs to completely overhaul the midfield after missing out on the top four and Champions League qualification last season.
Later, Lavia made the decision to join Chelsea rather than Liverpool after the Blues and Southampton struck an agreement on Tuesday for £53 million, which may rise to £58 million with add-ons, giving another setback to Liverpool. The 19-year-old visited Cobham on Wednesday for a checkup.
Following that double miss, Liverpool is apparently interested in many midfielders, including Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace, Joao Palhinha of Fulham, Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Khephren Thuram of Nice, Manu Kone of Borussia Monchengladbach, and Kalvin Phillips of Manchester City. After missing out on the top four and Champions League qualification the previous season, Jurgen Klopp must make significant changes to the midfield.
“Smart move by Liverpool,” he tweeted. one of the top players in the Bundesliga in his position. aggressive, excellent at keeping the ball, and a leader. Stuttgart adores Captain by Stuttgart.
“Five goals and five assists for Stuttgart last season in a struggling team.”
Endo, who can play in the center of defense or as a defensive midfielder, has made 133 appearances for Stuttgart in all competitions since coming from Be
In his native Japan, where he has 50 senior international caps and is currently captain, he has also played for Urawa Red Diamonds and Shonan Bellmare.
