Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino has emerged as a loan target for fellow Premier League club Southampton late on the transfer deadline day.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein on Twitter, Southampton are eyeing a shock eleventh-hour loan swoop for Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino.
The 26-year-old Japanese international joined Liverpool a little over a year ago from Red Bull Salzburg. However, things have not progressed as per plans with the versatile forward hardly making the kind of impact that was expected on his arrival.
As a result, game time has been hard to come by for Minamino, with the player starting just two league games so far this term. In total, the former Red Bull Salzburg man has featured in 17 matches in all competitions in 2020/21, scoring 4 goals and setting up a couple more for his teammates.
? EXCLUSIVE: Southampton are working on sensational 11th-hour deal to sign Takumi Minamino on loan from Liverpool. Advanced but not done. Excitement at #SaintsFC about possibility of getting 26yo Japan attacking midfielder @TheAthleticUK #LFC #DeadlineDay https://t.co/aCrt7fml1n
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 1, 2021
As things stand, Minamino, who can play anywhere in the final third or in midfield, finds himself behind the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and even Xherdan Shaqiri in the pecking order of things under manager Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Now, Southampton are lining up a late move on the transfer deadline day for the Japanese international. The Saints have been struck down by a host of injuries to a number of players across all departments. So, it does not come as a surprise that they are trying to get some deals over the line this late on the deadline day.
Minamino, given his standing at Liverpool currently, will not be a huge miss if he departs on loan. The player himself would stand to get accustomed to life in the Premier League better if he played regularly, which could become possible at St. Mary’s.
As things stand, talks between the two parties are said to be in advanced stages. And, Ornstein also adds that there is plenty of excitement within the Saints’ camp over the potential arrival of the Japanese international. It will be interesting to see if the touted move sees the light of the day in time before the winter transfer window slams shut.
