After missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia last summer, Liverpool acquired then 30-year-old midfielder Wataru Endo from Stuttgart. Under Jurgen Klopp, he spent the first half of the season warming the bench, but when he made the most of his opportunity in December 2023, he quickly became a regular in the depths of midfield without a guess.
However, under Arne Slott’s regime, the clouds are gathering. 19-year-old midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has returned from injury and 21-year-old midfielder Tyler Morton has also returned from loan.
With the midfield squad being enriched, it is said that the Dutch captain prefers the type of player who can create games in midfield, and the acquisition of a new defensive midfielder is becoming a real possibility.
According to The West Ham Way, West Ham United are interested in the Japanese midfielder, whose departure has become uncertain. The club’s technical director, Tim Steiten, is also reported to have been a fan of the player since he was working in the Bundesliga.
Initially in the Premier League, he was continually baffled by the fast pace of the game and the physicality of the game, but as he gradually started to settle in, he began to use his cleverness in positioning and his strength on the ball to win the ball high up the field and link it with the next attack.
He was unknown in England when he was acquired, but is now recognised as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. The London club loaned former England midfielder Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City last season, but he ultimately failed to feature at all and talk of a full transfer was snuffed out.
West Ham are also closing in on 30-year-old Argentine midfielder Guido Rodriguez, who remains on a free transfer, but are keen to further strengthen their midfield, with the 31-year-old Japan captain a target.
Will the former Stuttgart midfielder leave Anfield after just one year and seek a new home at the Olympic Stadium?