Takumi Minamino could leave Liverpool today after Luis Diaz was announced on Sunday, with Leeds and AS Monaco reportedly interested in the Japan international.
Liverpool have signed Colombian star, Diaz, from Porto for a fee in the region of €40m with €20m in performance-related add-ons but his arrival could see Minamino leave today on deadline day.
According to Leeds Live, Minamino is a target for the Whites as Marcelo Bielsa looks to bolster his side’s bid to remain in the Premier League. Monaco are interested as well.
Leeds are 15th on the table and are just 7 points above Newcastle United but the fight to remain in the league is expected to explode into life after the winter break ends with several of the relegation-threatened sides making promising signings.
Diaz’s arrival is expected to make room for Minamino, who reportedly earns £72,000 per week, to leave this month but time is fast running out for the Japan star and Leeds to manufacture a move although loans are a lot easier to negotiate.
Whether he leaves on loan this month or not, the writing seems to be on the wall for the former RB Salzburg star. It’s unfortunate as he’s a good player but he seems as though he’s not quite at the level required at Anfield.
He’s got 6 goals and an assist for the Reds this season but he still hasn’t made a Premier League start despite the fact that Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were unavailable this month due to their attendance at AFCON.
It’s pretty damning that Jurgen Klopp prefers Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wing even if the Englishman did repay his manager with two goals this month.
Diaz will arrive with high expectations but the Colombian is a much better fit for the Reds style of play as his pace, direct dribbling and prolific track record but it’s difficult not to feel for Minamino because he’s done very little wrong this season.