Liverpool are expecting interest to arrive for Takumi Minamino in this summer’s transfer window.
That’s according to journalist David Lynch. Writing for liverpool.com, Lynch claims that ‘senior figures’ at Liverpool are preparing for contact from a number of clubs this summer.
Those clubs are reportedly expected to be from ‘both Premier League and European’ clubs.
Lynch notes that the prospect of more regular playing time may be ‘too tempting to turn down’ for Minamino.
Interest expected after a good season
Why wouldn’t clubs be interested in signing Minamino this summer? Despite being on the fringes of the Liverpool squad, the 27-year-old has more goal contributions than Manchester City’s £100m man Jack Grealish.
10 goals and one assist across 24 games for The Reds is impressive going. Taki has been imperative to Liverpool’s domestic cup double, top-scoring for them in both the Carabao and FA Cup.
Opportunities have been harder to come by in the Premier League though. Tuesday’s win over Southampton was his first start in the competition all season. That he marked it by rifling Liverpool level on the night was hardly a surprise.
Plenty of clubs across England and Europe could do with a goal-scorer like that. Only yesterday, the first reports of interest from Lazio started to filter through. There sounds like there’ll be many more jostling for his signature.
Decision time for Taki
Liverpool would be wise to evaluate whether it’s truly worth it to sell Minamino. If the player is happy, Jurgen Klopp should definitely look to keep him around.
Divock Origi looks certain to leave and Taki will continue to get his chances in the cup competitions. There’s also simply no way that Liverpool will be able to find a player as prolific for the same kind of money as they’d sell him for.
So a lot will rest on Minamino. He rejected the opportunity to leave the club in January to fight for his place. That proved to be a good decision as he went on to top score in the FA Cup and lift both domestic cups too.
Things may be different this time around though, as he looks to kick-on from a good season. You would think Klopp would be unlikely to stand in his way if an acceptable offer arrived for the Japan international.
Liverpool are expecting interest, let’s see where it arrives from.
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