Liverpool have been saluted for their shock move for Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo by a pundit – though not all supporters are sold on the target.
As reported by Mail Sport last night, Jurgen Klopp’s side have launched a surprise £16million swoop for the 30-year-old, who will undergo a medical imminently.
The versatile Endo, the captain of the Japanese national team, is known to Reds sporting director Jorge Schmadtke and can also play at centre back.
Klopp is desperate to strengthen his midfield after missing out on Brighton‘s Moises Caicedo and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, both of whom are set to join Chelsea.
And Endo has emerged as a target, with the combative anchor keen on the switch.
Liverpool have been saluted for their shock move for Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo
Jurgen Klopp is desperate to strengthen his squad after missing out on several of his targets
Taking to social media, pundit and broadcaster Jan Aage Fjortoft praised the move and outlined several of Endo’s key strengths.
‘Smart move by Liverpool,’ Fjortoft wrote. ‘Aggression. Can keep the ball very good. Leader/captain by Stuttgart. Stuttgart love him.’
However, several supporters have voiced their concern over the move.
‘Wataru Endo,’ one user said, using a play on words. ‘More like What are we doing?’
Another cast a gloomy outlook on the season ahead, adding: ‘We will all cry when we don’t get top four because of signings like this.’
A host of other accounts also noted the similarity between the names of Endo and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, resulting in several jokes.
‘Hendo regen,’ one laughed, while another said, ‘Liverpool are replacing Hendo with Endo…’
Pundit and broadcaster Jan Aage Fjortoft praised Endo and identified several of his strengths
Not all supporters are keen on the move, however, with several voicing concern on Twitter
Endo, who has less than a year left on his Stuttgart deal, has made 133 appearances for the club since joining, initially on loan, from Belgian side Sint Truiden.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have revived interest in Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch.
Gravenberch, also linked with Manchester United, is open to leaving in search of more game time, though Bayern have so far resisted allowing him to move on.
The Reds have also asked about Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace, as they weigh up several names on their shortlist.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are their two summer signings to date.
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