Joyce breaking something is more than enough to give proper credence to a rumour.
Ticks all the boxes. And anyone that's been developed at Salzburg given how top draw both Naby and Sadio (with the only glaring weakness in the squad cover for him which this lad affords) really peaks your attention. Aside from his displays the two group games where he more than passed the eye test as RBS' stand-out player among a team packed full of really good, exciting ones.
Throw in the Japanese/ Asian market, the ridiculous bargain clause, no cup-tie situation for the knock-outs, and it would appear from every stand point a complete no-brainer.
*Vote Labour today. We can do this!
*The piece as The Times is subscription-based on-line-
PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool close on Red Bull Salzburg star Takumi Minamino — and can sign him for just £7.25m
Paul Joyce, Northern Football Correspondent
December 12 2019, 9:00am, The Times
Liverpool are ready to accelerate their interest in Red Bull Salzburg’s Takumi Minamino next month and try to exploit a release clause of just £7.25 million.
The Japan international, who impressed against the European champions despite his own side’s 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night, is available for a fraction of his true market value which underlines why Liverpool are prepared to move in the January window having originally discussed a summer deal.
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, is the driving force behind the prospective transfer having been thrilled by Minamino’s performances in the Champions League where his quality, poise in possession and ability to pick a pass from an attacking midfield role was clear.
The 24-year-old scored in Salzburg’s 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October and had been deployed at the top of a midfield diamond behind two strikers this week. Minamino has also played wide and in a two pronged strike force previously to underline his versatility in a variety of positions.
He has two goals and three assists in the competition and it is understood some of Liverpool senior players mentioned Minamino to the club’s coaching staff having recognised his technical ability and workrate. Minamino covered 66.8kilometres in six appearances in Group E.
However, Klopp has tracked Minamino prior to this season due to his fascination with the Red Bull football empire and its ability to develop the sort of talent he wants for his own teams.
Naby Keita and Sadio Mané both saw their careers take a leap forward at Salzburg having been signed by German sporting director Ralf Rangnick, a figure whom Klopp regards as being a major influence on his own coaching career.
“You are educating great players here in Salzburg,” said Klopp after the win in the Red Bull Arena which sealed the club’s progress into the last 16 of the competition as winners of Group E. They will be seeded and could now face Real Madrid, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund or Olympique Lyonnais.
Liverpool, who see Minamino as being worth in excess of £20 million, believe the player would contribute to their push for honours over the coming months should they be able to win the race for his signature.
A change in Uefa’s rules ahead of the 2018-19 season saw the “cup-tied rule” removed which would allow Minamino to play in the Champions League knockout stages for a new club.
Minamino’s dazzling performances for Salzburg should guarantee a number of interested parties at the end of the season from Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A sides, which is another reason why Liverpool will try and move early. He has scored nine goals in total this term.
There have only been two January signings so far in Klopp’s tenure. Marko Grujic joined from Red Star Belgrade for £5.1million in January 2016 and is currently on loan at Hertha Berlin. Virgil van Dijk came from Southampton for an initial £70 million in January 2018.
It is a measure of Minamino’s talent that Liverpool are prepared to break from their normal strategy, although it has become a forte of Anfield officials to conduct smart transfer business and this would be another example.
Salzburg’s teenage striker Erling Haaland has drawn many admiring glances, including those of Manchester United, after scoring 28 goals already this season. He has a release clause of around £17 million
South Korean forward Hee-Chan Hwang is another player to have caught the eye and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell watched him against Liverpool.
But it is Minamino with whom Klopp is taken and wants to sign.
*Edit*
All the local corp are all over it now, with Reddy saying it's done-
