Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that VFB Stuttgart midfielder and captain Wataru Endo of VFB Stuttgart will join Liverpool, with the club finally wrapping up a deal for a defensive midfielder after moves for Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo failed to come to fruition.
Endo is undoubtedly a surprise target amid links with higher-profile players, but he may well prove to be an incredible value signing.
Wataru Endo Set to Join Liverpool
Transfer Fee Confirmed
Wataru Endō to Liverpool, here we go! Medical tests booked on Thursday for Japanese midfielder who’s joining from Stuttgard for €18m fee 🚨🔴🇯🇵 #LFC
Personal terms agreed in few hours as Endō asked as Stuttgart captain to leave & follow his dream.
Exclusive story, confirmed. pic.twitter.com/AYZ2bKuauP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 16, 2023
Liverpool will send the Bundesliga side over £15 million for the 30-year-old, who they hope will lift the side with his exceptional ball recovery and passing abilities. Medical tests for the player are expected to be completed on Thursday, as the Premier League side aims to wrap up the deal as soon as possible. Personal terms have been agreed with the player, who is reportedly keen to complete his “dream move”.
Who is New Liverpool Signing Waturo Endo?
Before moving to Belgian side Sint-Truiden in 2018, Endo made his mark in the J1 League. His first senior club was Shonan Bellmare, with whom he spent six seasons bouncing between the first and second divisions of the Japanese league system.
Making a move that would give a boost to his chances to play at an international level, Endo joined Urawa Red Diamonds in 2016. The following year he won the AFC Champions League and featured in the Club World Cup .
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Endo was loaned to Stuttgart in the 2019/20 season, while they were still in the 2. Bundesliga. He helped them gain promotion and made a permanent move to them the following year. Since then he has regularly played in 33 of 34 Bundesliga games for the team each campaign and become a key leader for the German side. Despite his low price tag, it seems Liverpool have completed a coup in their move for Endo.
How Liverpool Can Utilize The Japanese Midfielder
Endo, who is also the Japan captain, typically plays as a midfielder but can also comfortable slot into centre-back. His positional versatility will give manager Jurgen Klopp options if he needs to make changes in the defence at any point. His exceptional defensive abilities and strong ability to progress the ball will be vital to Liverpool, who clearly struggled to maintain possession against Chelsea on Sunday.
Liverpool’s Summer Struggles
The arrival of a defensive midfielder will bring some relief to a club that has been battered by their domestic rivals in the current transfer window. Chelsea have beaten Liverpool to the signings of both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, which were undoubtedly embarrassing for club bosses. Klopp’s side, though, have now made a cheap deal to boost their squad with an experienced leader. However, they may yet pursue more options for the midfield, with Endo’s age surely a concern in the medium term, despite the low price tag.
Image Credit: Ank Kumar on Wikimedia, CC BY SA 4.0
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