Liverpool have rejected an initial offer of around £11.8m for Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo, but Marseille are expected to return to the Reds with an improved bid.
Liverpool Reject Wataru Endo Bid
Arne Slot’s Liverpool have been one of the quietest sides in the Premier League transfer window so far this summer and they are still yet to secure their first signing under the new manager.
Therefore it is very unsurprising that the club is reluctant to let players leave as of right now, with Marseille’s approach for Wataru Endo quickly shut down this weekend.
Marseille boss and former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is keen on bringing the Japan captain to Ligue 1, after he impressed during his debut season in England last year.
🔴🇯🇵 Liverpool rejected approach from Olympique Marseille for Endo before they signed Ismael Kone and Pierre Højbjerg.
Talks around €14m as @JamesPearceLFC reports — but already collapsed weeks ago.
Marseille are focused on other signings and other positions. pic.twitter.com/5AFlwTPsuf
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2024
Endo played 43 games for Liverpool last season and he quickly became an important squad player as Liverpool challenged for the Premier League title – starting 20 matches during their campaign.
Although Liverpool finished third in the league, Endo did secure the League Cup during his debut season at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
Now under the management of Arne Slot, Endo still seems to be an important part of plans for Liverpool despite rumoured interest from other German clubs for the Japanese star.
Marseille’s offer for Endo is a price lower than what Liverpool paid to Stuttgart in summer last year (£16m), so there was never any question that the Reds would reject the slightly disrespectful offer.
Despite the talks of Endo leaving, the 31-year-old has still been involved in Liverpool’s pre-season plans, playing 45 minutes for the Reds during a friendly against Real Betis this week.
Liverpool won their first pre-season friendly 1-0 against their Spanish opposition, but things will take a step up in the next couple of weeks as they face Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United on their American tour.
The Reds face newly promoted Ipswich Town in their first Premier League game of the season, which is just over two weeks away.
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