Ralph Hasenhutl confirms that Southampton have spoken to Liverpool about signing Takumi Minamino and his future will become clear when he returns from international duty.
We covered a report from Hampshire Live a week ago which claimed that Liverpool are set for talks over Takumi Minamino’s future once he returns from international duty following a positive loan spell with Southampton.
Hampshire Live now reports that with talks yet to be held with Minamino, there are two ‘options on the table’ as Liverpool weigh up what they want to do with a player that is on £75,000/week or £3.9million/year.
The first option is to send Minamino back to Southampton while the second option is to sell Minamino this summer and as the Liverpool Echo’s Paul Gorst said recently, the right bid from the South Coast outfit would likey be accepted.
“It is never nice for a player when you don’t end up getting the game time that you want to have, when you only train and are not see as part of the first 11,” Hasenhuttl said while speaking to Hampshire Live about Minamino.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Takumi Minamino of Southampton reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by John Sibley – Pool/Getty Images)
“The most important thing for him is that he gets a chance to play. We had so much rotation with injuries and everything that it was clear he would get a lot of game time with us.
“We have had talks with them and they are not so sure what will happen with him because Liverpool may make some things happen in the transfer market. For him, it was important to play here. We gave him that chance to play and we have enjoyed having him here.”
Between Anfield and St. Mary’s, the Japan international made just 11 starts in the league this season and would benefit from more consistent game time next season whether it’s on loan or not.
The Japanese forward arrived at the club in January 2020 and while he won the Premier League with the Reds that season, he barely made an impact and following another poor half-season, he was loaned out to Southampton.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Southampton player Takumi Minamino scores the first Southampton goal past goalkeeper Karl Darlow during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on February 06, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)atar
He impressed in bursts on the South Coast and while Liverpool likely cannot afford to give him the consistent game time he probably needs to succeed for the Reds, he’s got the tools to help Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Many of you reading this are likely wondering what I am basing this on and it all comes down to two games from this season that Liverpool actually looked like the 2019/20 Premier League champions and they happen to be the 26-year-old’s last two starts for the club.
Minamino’s last two starts for the club came against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
The first was a 7-0 rout at Selhurst Park and while the Japan international only scored one goal, he was integral to the flow of the Reds’ game and he looked every bit the player that Liverpool signed for £7.25million.
