Liverpool Football Club has orchestrated an unexpected move to acquire the services of Wataru Endo, the seasoned midfielder hailing from Stuttgart and Japan. The resounding echo of this deal reverberates across Anfield, where Jurgen Klopp’s side has been tirelessly searching for a new midfield gem after Fabinho’s departure to Al-Ittihad.
Liverpool’s pursuit of fresh midfield blood saw them eyeing talents like Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, aiming to fill the void left by Fabinho’s departure. The intricate web of transfers witnessed a dramatic twist as Chelsea swept in with a successful £115 million offer for Caicedo, who was seemingly destined for the Anfield shores with a £110 million deal on the table.
Romeo Lavia emerged as the next beacon of hope, as Liverpool managed to secure an agreement with Southampton. However, Chelsea’s shadow loomed once more, as the young talent opted to grace Stamford Bridge over Anfield’s embrace. Amidst this saga, Liverpool’s tenacious quest for midfield reinforcements remains unwavering.
Enter Wataru Endo, a name that wasn’t on the initial script but is now set to make its mark in the storied pages of Liverpool’s history. Amidst the rumors of Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, Fabrizio Romano’s latest revelation puts Wataru Endo at the center stage.
The 30-year-old, with less than a year remaining on his Stuttgart contract, has become the chosen one for Liverpool’s midfield puzzle. The Bundesliga club’s endeavors to extend his stay fell short, leading to the green light for Endo’s Merseyside voyage.
Reports suggest that Liverpool will invest approximately €18 million (£15.4 million) to secure Endo’s talents. The deal is already inked in personal terms, with a medical slated for Thursday. The Japanese midfielder’s dream of joining Liverpool is on the cusp of realization, as he parts ways with Stuttgart after a five-year stint, initially joining from Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden in 2019.
Endo’s journey through the ranks has seen him score 15 goals and craft 12 assists in 133 appearances for Stuttgart, predominantly as a defensive midfielder. His versatility, even as a center-back, has been showcased, with six goals and five assists in the previous campaign, including a decisive goal in Stuttgart’s 4-0 DFB-Pokal first-round victory over TSG Balingen.
A proud bearer of 50 international caps for Japan, Endo has represented his nation on the grandest stage, gracing two World Cups. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Japan’s journey to the last 16 of the Qatar tournament in 2022.
Wataru Endo’s impending arrival marks Liverpool’s third acquisition this summer, joining the ranks of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. As the ink dries on the contract, anticipation brews, as Endo could potentially debut against Bournemouth on Saturday, igniting a new chapter in his storied career and painting the Anfield canvas with his unique brand of football artistry.
