Leeds United have reportedly made enquiries over the possibility of signing Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, who is also a target for Lazio.
According to La Lazio Siamo Noi, Leeds United are ready to rival Serie A giants Lazio in the race to sign Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Minamino joined Liverpool in the January transfer window of 2020, arriving from Austrian giants Red Bull Salzburg. The 27-year-old has not been a regular starter at Anfield but has made useful contributions each time he has been handed an opportunity. The Japanese international spent the second half of the last season on loan at Southampton and fared decently.
Upon returning to Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp decided to retain Minamino’s services. Despite not featuring regularly in the Premier League, the former Salzburg star played a key role in the Reds’ success in the domestic cup competitions, netting four goals in five Carabao Cup matches and thrice in four games in the FA Cup.
However, despite impressing, Minamino continues to find opportunities hard to come by, with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino ahead of him in the pecking order. So, there is a good chance that the Japanese international could be on the move in the summer transfer window.
Lazio have already shown an interest in Minamino but are will now face competition from Leeds United. The Whites just about survived the threat of relegation, courtesy of their final day victory over Brentford. Having guided the club to safety, manager Jesse Marsch will now look to strengthen his options in attack before the upcoming season.
Attack is an area where Leeds need reinforcements desperately, considering that Rodrigo Moreno has been inconsistent while Raphinha could be on his way to Barcelona in the summer. In addition, Jack Harrison is also starting to attract interest from clubs towards the top end of the Premier League standings.
Losing Raphinha and potentially even Harrison would leave Leeds starved of depth in the attacking unit. So, Minamino, who can perform in multiple positions in the attacking areas, can be a handy signing for the Yorkshire-based outfit. The 27-year-old is a player that Marsch knows well, having worked with him at Red Bull Salzburg.
Indeed, Minamino played 22 games under the current Leeds United boss in Austria, scoring nine goals and registering 11 assists. Marsch knows how to get the best out of the forward, who could relish joining forces with his former manager.
Leeds are reported to have carried out enquiries about the availability of the Japanese international ahead of the summer. However, with Lazio also in the race, the Whites could find it difficult to land the Liverpool star in the summer.