Japanese striker Takumi Minamino is reportedly set to undergo medical today and is a few inches closer to completing the signing with Liverpool. The 24 years old striker currently playing for RB Salzburg is anticipated to sign a deal a four and a half year at Anfield that would cost Liverpool £7.25million for release clause. Reports claim that negotiations with the Austrian club is already finished and all that remains are formalities.
Liverpool is acting fast, so Takumi Minamino could join the club as soon as the January transfer window opens. The 24 years old striker could make his debut at Liverpool during the FA Cup third round Merseyside derby in a match scheduled against Everton. This is the same as what the Reds did to Virgil van Dijk a couple of years earlier.
Considering the fast and thick coming of fixtures for Liverpool currently in Qatar for the Club World Cup, the arrival of Takumi Minamino will provide a fresh pair of legs at one of the most crucial periods in the season. The Japanese striker can play in No 1o role or in the front three giving Jurgen Klopp a lot of options. Minamino is unlikely to usurp Mohamed Selah, Roberto Firmino, od Sadio Mane considering these are all fit players.
Takumi Minamino has technical skills, and eye for goal is very impressive and earned the admiration not only of Liverpool scouts but also of senior Liverpool players. These players mentioned to Liverpool coaches how they rated the Japanese striker after group games in the Champions League. For this season, the 24 years old striker has made seven goals and five assists across all competitions.
People in charge of transfers at Anfield believe Takumi Minamino's value is above £20 million mark. In other words, the £7.25 million is a low-risk high reward transfer for Liverpool. The Japanese striker, whom Liverpool think is worth three times his release clause could paly for the club in the European champions' knockout stages since the change in UEFA rule in 2018. Minamino could help bolster the reds 10 points clear of second-placed Leicester City at the top of the Premier League, reports BBC.
Liverpool will have spent £15.5m on Andy Robertson and Takumi Minamino. They sold Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth for £19m. Michael Edwards is an absolute genius. pic.twitter.com/CJpxrfyp97 — Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) December 12, 2019
Currently, Liverpool was knocked out of the Carabao Cup last Tuesday by Aston Villa. The match was starred by the youngest starting line-up of Liverpool considering that the first-team squad are in Qatar. Liverpool is also scheduled to face FA Cup third-round tie against Everton on January 5.
