LIVERPOOL are on the verge of signing Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo, according to reports.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side are desperate to recruit further midfield options before the transfer deadline.
GettyWataru Endo has emerged as a shock Liverpool target[/caption]
The Reds sold Fabinho and Jordan Henderson earlier this summer, while James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all left on free transfers.
Liverpool have signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.
But, after being snubbed in favour of Chelsea by Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the Reds remain short of options.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool are “closing in” on Endo’s signature.
They add that the Japanese international has been given permission to travel to England to complete his move.
Fabrizio Romano reports the Reds have agreed a £15.5m fee.
Endo, 30, has just a year remaining on his Stuttgart contract.
The Bundesliga club had been eager to renew his deal.
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But the player is keen to join Liverpool after learning of their interest.
Endo joined Stuttgart, initially on loan, from Sint-Truiden in 2019.
He had moved to European football with the Belgian side a year earlier from J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds.
In addition to holding midfield, Endo can also play at centre-back.
The 50-cap international was named in Japan’s squads for the last two World Cups.
He featured in Stuttgart’s season opener last weekend, scoring in his side’s 4-0 DFB-Pokal win over TSG Balingen.
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Sunday TimesEndo, 30, played in the World Cup in Qatar[/caption]