Liverpool close in on signing Wataru Endo from Stuttgart after sudden developments
As per an exclusive from David Ornstein and James Pearce for The Athletic (subscription required), Liverpool are closing in on the signature of Stuttgart midfielder and Japan international Wataru Endo.
The German side are expected to get €19m from this deal as Liverpool hope to fill one of the defensive midfield slots with the addition of the 30-year-old.
Endo’s contract at Stuttgart was expiring next summer (Transfermarkt). It seems like instead of extending his stay there, he has decided to move to Anfield.
The Japanese superstar started his career in his native club Shonan-Bellmare before moving to Urawa Reds in 2016.
The first time he played for a European club was in 2018 when he signed for Belgian side Sint-Truiden. He has been at Stuttgart for the past three seasons and has done a good job in helping the team avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.
Endo is a defensive midfielder who can operate as a centre-back if required. He has played as a right-back before as well, so his versatility is something to keep in mind for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool fans.
In the last three seasons for Stuttgart, the 30-year-old has made 111 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and assisting 11.
If we take a look at his metric-based stats in the Bundesliga last season, the Japan international made 2.1 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game. He has produced key passes at 1.4 per game while winning 50% of the ground duels and 58% of the aerial duels (Sofascore).
It sounds like he is an experienced, utility addition to the Liverpool squad that does like the former in midfield after the departure of Fabinho, James Milner and Jordan Henderson.
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Let’s hope that the club has another midfield signing lined up who is young and has the ceiling to further improve his game.
