Liverpool Reportedly Open to Takumi Minamino Sale

It seems fair to say that Takumi Minamino’s time at Anfield didn’t go to plan after the Japanese international arrived in January of 2020 in a bargain £7.25M deal as Liverpool triggered his RB Salzburg release clause.

Limited minutes across two half-seasons followed before he was loaned out to Southampton in January of 2021, and now it appears there is a chance he could permanently join Ralph Hasenhüttl’s Saints project.

That’s according to local outlet Hampshire Live, who say after previously being denied a purchase option on Minamino, Southampton have asked again about signing him permanently and been given an encouraging response.

Further, they say Minamino is open to extending his stay at Southampton. However, as yet there have been no formal negotiations about a permanent deal. Still, if true, it signals a shift in thinking for Liverpool.

Previously, the Reds had signalled Minamino remained in their long-term plans, with the club both denying Southampton’s attempts to negotiate a purchase option and Jürgen Klopp speaking positively about the player.

Now, though, it appears he might well be on the block as Liverpool look to fund further signings, with the club needing to sign at least a midfielder to replace Gini Wijnaldum and potentially another forward.