Liverpool are closing in on their third signing of the summer as VfB Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo edges closer.
The 30-year-old is believed to have taken his medical on Thursday ahead of his Premier League switch as he looks set to join Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the midfield.
In the last seven days, Liverpool have had a British record bid for Moises Caicedo accepted, engaged in a transfer saga with Chelsea, lost out on the former Brighton man’s signature – and made their move for Endo.
Interest in Endo emerged out of the blue, yet he has received rave reviews from figures that watch the Bundesliga on a weekly basis.
For Liverpool the acquisition of Endo would be much-needed, after they were forced to use Mac Allister at the base of the midfield in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea
Not to knock the Argentinian, who had a strong Premier League debut for the Reds – but his services would be better served in a more progressive role. During the stalemate at Stamford Bridge, it felt like a battle to show who needed an anchor in front of the back four more. Ultimately that was a war that Liverpool didn’t want to win – and they did.
Endo has been described as a “solider” by his former Stuttgart manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, among other fulsome praise. A fee in the region of £16m isn’t to be dismissed, but Liverpool were due to spend 10 times that for Caicedo.
With that in mind, whatever thought process is behind the move to see Endo become a Liverpool player, it shouldn’t necessarily give him the right to see him instantly take the position in the middle of a midfield three.
Both Premier League debutants for the Reds on Sunday, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister have got all the tools, and showed glimpses that they can be the progressive, midfield dynamos that Jurgen Klopp so craves.
Despite the shrewd piece of business that will see an experienced defensive midfielder set foot at Anfield, Liverpool can’t afford to rest on their laurels. Provided that Endo is a stop-gap, Liverpool aren’t as desperate for a holding player in their engine room, but it doesn’t mean their interest should stop there.
Cheick Doucoure’s presence in that department would be the perfect next step to reinforcing midfield. It remains to be seen the price that Crystal Palace will slap on the former Lens man’s head but at just 23, he would be the ideal addition with the future in mind.
Endo’s arrival wouldn’t damage the wallet of Liverpool too badly which can allow the Reds to bend their transfer spend before September 1.
With two more midfield additions billed, to make it the perfect summer, Liverpool should look to further strengthen their ageing defensive line.
Ibrahima Konate lined up alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at Stamford Bridge. Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are among the options off the bench for Liverpool if changes are needed in defence.
The Reds delayed bolstering their midfield before the issue became a bonafide problem and if Liverpool delay their hunt for defensive additions, they may face the same prospect as this summer.
And that is becoming embroiled in transfer battles with the risk of over-spending. For that reason, Liverpool could do with welcoming a left-sided central defender.
Goncalo Inacio has been a player widley linked with Liverpool, although club sources have firmly denied the suggestion previously – and he has signed a new deal with Sporting CP.
Chelsea’s Levi Colwill was another who was admired by the Reds, however, he too opted to pen fresh terms with his side. He extended his stay at Stamford Bridge for another six years, in light of helping England U21s to European Championships glory.
One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield is Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie. Fussball Transfers has claimed that the Reds are interested in the defender, following reports that the recruitment team on Merseyside were eyeing Micky Van de Ven and Castello Lukeba previously
