Liverpool had a massive success at the start of the transfer window, achieving a significant sweep for both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, but after these signings, the completion of other deals suddenly became a myth a couple of their transfer targets expressed a clear interest with another team.
Liverpool agreed with Brighton and Southampton to transfer Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, respectively, but their move did not happen because both players wanted to join Chelsea instead. Now, they have moved on to a less expensive yet efficient option in Wataru Endo.
Liverpool unveils new $19 million signing in Wataru Endo
The announcement this week might not have matched the expectations of Liverpool fans, but the arrival of Wataru Endo brings a crucial reinforcement to the defensive midfield. While he might not be a widely recognized figure among British supporters, Endo’s role is anticipated to revolve around squad depth, raising the question of who will ultimately take up the pivotal no. 6 spot in Liverpool’s starting lineup.
Initially, everyone was surprised when Liverpool put up a £ 111 million bid for Moises Caicedo, only to see him join Chelsea. But the Reds later took consolation in the fact that that transfer fee is the kind of expense they have tried to avoid since Darwin Nunez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Virgil van Dijk, and Alisson. Hence, it was partly a relief for them when the deal fell through.
Wataru Endo was signed for $19 million. The young midfielder, excited to begin his journey with Liverpool, spoke with enthusiasm, thus; “I’m very happy right now, and I’m so excited to join a big club in Liverpool.”
“It feels fantastic, and this is my dream. It’s always [been] a dream to play [in the] Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s a dream come true for me.
“I play as a number six and a more defensive player. I can help this club defensively and have a good organisation in the middle. I think that’s my job.”
Reds target moves to Chelsea in $74 million switch
According to the Mirror, Liverpool successfully negotiated a deal with Southampton to secure Romeo Lavia’s service, with both sides agreeing on a substantial sum of £60 million. However, compounding the disappointment for the Reds, Lavia shares a similar desire to Moises Caicedo – both players have their sights set on joining Chelsea.
The cost for Lavia, who is 19 years old, is believed to be $74 million, and he has put pen to paper on a contract spanning seven years. The Blues are making substantial investments this summer, and the advantage of securing players with extended agreements is evident in their efforts to navigate UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, in their confirmation of Lavia’s signing, stated: “We are very pleased to welcome Romeo to Chelsea; he demonstrated his quality in the Premier League last season at Southampton, showing maturity despite his young age, and is a player we have monitored for some time. We believe he is ready to make an impact at Chelsea throughout the current campaign and in the coming years.”
Do you believe Wataru Endo will be able to make a significant impact at Anfield? Make sure to let us know in the comments.
