Liverpool are reportedly willing to offload Wataru Endo this summer, should the Reds be able to secure the services of a like-for-like replacement.
Liverpool are reportedly prepared to offload Wataru Endo this summer should they be able to sign a replacement.
The 31-year-old joined the Reds at the beginning of Jurgen Klopp‘s final year in charge of the former Premier League and Champions League holders.
Endo arrived on the backdrop of a midfield rebuild, following the high-profile departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to the Saudi Pro League.
Although not always exciting, the Japan international enjoyed a solid first campaign at Anfield as Liverpool secured Champions League qualification.
Endo made 29 appearances for Klopp’s troops in the Premier League, with 20 of those coming from the start, scoring his only goal during the pulsating 4-3 win over Fulham in December.
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Liverpool ‘willing’ to sanction Endo exit
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are prepared to say goodbye to Endo after just a single year at the Anfield, where he joined from Stuttgart last summer.
The report claims that the 62-time international will be allowed to leave the Reds once they have secured the services of a replacement in midfield.
It is understood that Arne Slot’s side are closing in on the acquisition of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who recently won Euro 2024 with Spain.
Once a replacement defensive midfielder has been secured, Endo will be able to go out and find first-team opportunities somewhere else before the end of the window.
It is believed that Marseille are keen on a move for the enforcer, with Les Olympiens having a £15m bid for Endo rejected earlier in the summer.
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Liverpool’s alternatives to Zubimendi?
With Sociedad demanding that Zubimendi’s release clause is paid in full, Liverpool could go looking elsewhere if they are unable to secure the services of the Spaniard this summer.
It is believed that the Reds have registered their interest in Adrien Rabiot just in case a move for Zubimendi becomes impossible later in the window.
It is not particularly surprising to see Endo’s stay at Anfield coming to an end, considering that they was below Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the shopping list for Liverpool.