AS Monaco are eyeing a summer swoop for an out-of-favour member of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad, according to reports.
The Reds star in question? Takumi Minamino.
Japanese international Minamino of course endured something of a hit and miss campaign at Anfield in 2021/22.
Slipping ever further down Liverpool’s attacking pecking order owing to the mid-season arrival of Luis Diaz, the 27-year-old a paltry one Premier League start, instead handed the chance to impress largely in cup competition.
And, to his credit, impress across limited game-time is precisely what Minamino went on to do.
Across 24 appearances in all competitions, nine of which came in the form of starts, the ex-Red Bull Salzburg star racked up a none-too-shabby ten goals.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 05: Takumi Minamino of Liverpool during the FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 5, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
With prolific Benfica hitman Darwin Nunez primed to land on the red half of Merseyside over the coming weeks, though, Minamino remains on the outside looking in when it comes to Klopp’s ranks ahead of next season.
In turn, it should come as little surprise to hear of clubs from across the continent beginning to express a keen interest in the talented attacker.
And, as alluded to above, one such outfit are understood to have this week positioned themselves at the front of the queue for his signature.
As per a report from John Percy of The Telegraph, Ligue 1 outfit Monaco, of course afforded a mammoth cash injection owing to Real Madrid’s swoop for Aurelien Tchouameni, have emerged as ‘favourites’ to land Minamino this summer.
This comes despite Bruno Lage’s Wolves also expressing an interest in his services with a view to next season.
Those in a position of power at Anfield, meanwhile, are understood to be ready to sanction Minamino’s exit, making a Stade Louis II switch, for a sum in the region of £17 million, a real possibility.
🚨 NEW: Jurgen Klopp is sanctioning the departure of Takumi Minamino, who is a target for Ligue 1 club Monaco. Wolves have also inquired about Minamino but Monaco are understood to be favourites to sign the attacking midfielder at this stage. #lfc [@JPercyTelegraph]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) June 11, 2022
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