Red Bull Salzburg playmaker Takumi Minamino set to have a medical at Liverpool on Wednesday ahead of his proposed £7.25million move.
The Reds triggered the Japan international’s release clause last week, just a couple of days after facing him for the second time in the Champions League group stage.
Providing no problems are encountered the 24-year-old will become a Liverpool player on January 1, the PA news agency understands.
Takumi #Minamino has won the vote for our Player of the Month. He took 52% of the votes! 👏 pic.twitter.com/kOtuln5n61— FC Red Bull Salzburg EN (@FCRBS_en) December 17, 2019
It is anticipated Minamino would go straight into Jurgen Klopp’s squad and could be available for the FA Cup third round tie at home to Everton four days later.
The deal is viewed by Liverpool as outstandingly good value as they believe the player’s market value is three times what they are paying for him.
But having kept tabs on him since 2013, sporting director Michael Edwards and his recruitment team became aware of his release clause and acted quickly when interest was expressed from Manchester United, Borussia Munchengladbach and AC Milan.
Minamino, who impressed in his two Champions League outings against Liverpool this season, has scored nine times in 22 appearances this season.
‘He instantly popped into our ratings as one of the best U21 midfielders in Europe. The impressive thing is Slot has made him into more of a no.6' Inside Ryan Gravenberch's transformation at Liverpool
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
