12th December: Reds all-but-confirm signing of Minamino

Liverpool have been confirmed to have agreed a deal in principle to take Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg.

And for a measly £7.25 million release clause the deal is simply a no brainer for the European champions.

Minamino, having played with Uruguayan legend Diego Forlan at his boyhood club Cerezo Osaka and making 62 senior appearances, moved to Europe with Salzburg in 2015 aged 21.

The agile Japanese attacker has been a revelation and stalwart since his move, hitting 63 goals in 192 games, a goal-to-game ratio of 0.32.

Minamino has hit at least 10 goals in each of the last four seasons and eight already this term, with one scored at Anfield in Salzburg’s 4-3 defeat.

He particularly impressed during these games, appearing lively both on and off the ball. Minamino is said to not only have made an impact on the Liverpool coaching staff and scouts, but the players too.

Having allegedly mentioned to the staff on the return from their 2-0 win on Tuesday, the players were informed that Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards were already talking to the Salzburg management about the transfer.

The deal has all but been confirmed by RB Salzburg director Christoph Freund:

“I can confirm that there are currently talks with Liverpool. It is an honour which clubs are interested in our players.”

Minamino is likely to take the 19 or 21 shirt voided by predecessors Sadio Mane and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and a medical is set to happen later this month if all goes well.