Takumi Minamino: How could Liverpool line-up with Salzburg’s Japanese midfielder?

Reds have agreed a deal in principle to meet the playmaker’s release clause

(Reuters)

Liverpool have made their first significant stride into the January transfer market after agreeing a deal in principle to sign RB Salzburg playmaker Takumi Minamino.

The Japanese midfielder has a release clause of just £7.25m and has been trailed by a number of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United and several Bundesliga sides.

“He is an outstanding player with an outstanding personality,” Salzburg’s sporting director, Christopher Freund, told The Independent. “The big clubs have been watching him and if I was them, I’d have no hesitation to sign him. Takumi is ready to make the next step in January.”

However, the 24-year-old’s arrival could spell a shake-up for Jurgen Klopp’s already congested midfield, where Minamino will be competing with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri amongst others.

Check out the gallery below to see how Liverpool could line-up, and their squad in full, with Minamino in the team:

Please click through the gallery above.

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