Wataru Endo, a 2023 summer signing, is reportedly going to be “replaced” by Liverpool this year since club executives merely saw him as a “stop-gap.”
In order to strengthen their midfield, Liverpool spent £200 million for Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Endo last summer.
Fabinho left for the Saudi Pro League, and Endo was brought in to take his position.
The 31-year-old Japanian international was signed by Liverpool as a less expensive option after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia decided to join Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Endo (£16m) was a lot less expensive than Caicedo (£115m) and Lavia (£58m), but he easily outperformed the two previous targets of Liverpool at Chelsea in his rookie season.
He proved to be a valuable addition, making 44 games in all competitions and 20 Premier League starts for Liverpool in his rookie season.
Nevertheless, according to a Football Insider report, Liverpool is “set to replace” Endo this summer because “signing a new defensive midfielder” is their “top priority.”
“The signing of a new defensive midfield star is chief among their plans for the summer transfer window, which opens on June 14,” the article continues.
However, a reliable source has informed Football Insider that club executives only considered Endo as a stopgap, and plans are already underway to sign a high-profile new midfield player.
Another Liverpool player who might be moving this summer is keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who reportedly “wants to quit” in order to play as a No. 1 somewhere.
According to Football Insider, Kelleher might end up at Scottish champions Celtic, who are reportedly “plotting a move worth up to £10m” for the 25-year-old.
