Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl confirms his club are in talks over Takumi Minamino. Liverpool have a decision to make this summer.
Southampton are in talks with Liverpool over Takumi Minamino. Ralph Hasenhuttl admits as much while saying the player has been decent for his team.
“I must say, he was a very lively factor in our game, in the games he played,” he told Hampshire Live.
“He not only scored fantastic goals but his mentality and his character really fit into our team. You can see why a club like Liverpool wanted to sign him.
“He did a good job here. We gave him a chance to show up. We will have a look what happens in the summer, we will see what Liverpool want to do.
“There are discussions going on but we will have a look in the summer.”
Minamino joined Southampton on loan on February 1st in what was a surprise deal. Liverpool clearly saw him getting more first-team football there than at Anfield.
They were almost certainly right, too. The Reds started Minamino just twice over the first half of the season, while he’s been in the XI eight times for Southampton.
Now the clubs will discuss where to go from here. It sounds like Southampton may want him back.
Takumi Minamino talks
The Athletic claims want Minamino back at the club this summer to ‘challenge for a starting berth’. We wonder how likely that really is.
Liverpool just never really used him in a full year with the club and we’re not sure he’s done enough with Southampton to change that. Our feeling, then, is that a decent offer would bring the Reds to the table.
Maybe that’s another loan. We can’t imagine too many clubs would offer a decent amount of money for the 26-year-old, though that could change with a good loan move.
As for now, though, Liverpool will surely listen to whatever Southampton have to say. It’s just hard to see a place for Minamino at Anfield next season.
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