Liverpool have announced their inaugural signing of the January transfer window after Takumi Minamino joined the Reds from RB Salzburg.
Minamino, 24, will join up with Jurgen Klopp and his new teammates on January 1 after the European champions activated the Japan international’s £7.25 release clause.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 18: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Takumi Minamino signs for Liverpool Football Club on December 18, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The former Cerezo Osaka playmaker becomes the third RB Salzburg to make the switch to Anfield following in the footsteps of Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.
Minamino gave a glowing audition to Jurgen Klopp during the Champions League group-stages after scoring at Anfield in a 4-3 thriller.
Following Minamino’s departure from the Austrian side, Salzburg sent out a bizarre tweet asking Liverpool who they will be prompted to sign next.
Hey @LFC, who's next? 😉
// #Mane #Keita #Minamino #MadeinSalzburg pic.twitter.com/4XYO87OKSh
— FC Red Bull Salzburg (@RedBullSalzburg) December 19, 2019
What RTK has to say
The tweet is a little strange considering the calibre of players Salzburg have let go of in the past.
However, Liverpool’s current status as European champions could mean that a team like Salzburg are proud to see their former stars making the leap to the pinnacle of club football.
Minamino has proven to be another hidden gem and Salzburg will be delighted to see one of their findings join the current Champions League holders.
The only down factor for the Austrian Football Bundesliga champions will certainly be the price tag. Considering the Reds had to fight off the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona for Minamino suggests he is hot property and the £7.25 million fees is a massive steal for Liverpool.
The outgoings are expected to continue throughout the new year for Salzburg with Erling Haaland the topic of conversation for about every club associated in Europe.