Liverpool expect to sell Takumi Minamino this summer, with Ligue 1 outfit Lyon supposedly interested in signing the player.
According to the Times, Lyon are ready to lock horns with domestic rivals Monaco in the race to land the 27-year-old.
Back In November, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp described Minamino as “incredible”, but has since failed to give him regular minutes in an area of the pitch the Merseysiders are well-stocked in.
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With forward Sadio Mane joining Bayern Munich, the Japanese international may have had hopes of playing a more prominent role at Anfield next season, but the £85 million signing of Darwin Nunez may have crushed these.
Minamino must be playing regularly next season if he is to assure his place in Japan’s World Cup squad.
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Monaco are said to be the frontrunners for the winger, having finished the 2021/22 season in third and thus qualifying for the Champions League.
French counterparts Lyon finished 8th and were eliminated by West Ham in the Europa League, meaning they are without European football next campaign.
Liverpool have clearly committed to lowering the age profile of their squad this summer, having brought in Nunez, 22, and are on the verge of signing Aberdeen full-back Calvin Ramsay, who is just 18.
This strategy has meant older players like Minamino, and Divock Origi who is close to joining AC Milan, have been left surplus to requirements.
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Both of these squad players were reliable sources of goals in reserve, so the club could be left with a shortage in that aspect.
Minamino scored 10 goals in all competitions last season in just 24 appearances. If he is to depart the North West this window, he’ll leave the club having made just 30 Premier League appearances across two and a half years.
Topics: Liverpool, Takumi Minamino, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers