'I'm hearing': Bundesliga clubs are already queuing up to sign £16m Liverpool player in January - journalist

Today at 06:00 AM

Liverpool are ticking along nicely in the Premier League and Champions League despite a lack of investment over the summer.

The Reds chose to buy just one player, Federico Chiesa, ahead of the new season, with Giorgi Mamardashvili also signed with a view to arriving in 2025.

While Liverpool may currently feel justified in their decision not to add to the first-team squad, there is a feeling that the Reds are still on the lookout for a new central midfielder.

Liverpool tried to sign Martin Zubimendi over the summer and although Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation since Zubimendi rejected the Reds, a new option is surely still likely to be sought.

The main reason for that is that Arne Slot clearly does not see Wataru Endo as a player he can trust to carry out his instructions.

Endo has been reduced to two substitute appearances this season so far and it looks as though the Japanese could cut his Anfield stay short in the New Year.

Wataru Endo could leave Liverpool in January

Endo has been a really good player for Liverpool. While he may not have the trust of Slot, the £16m signing from Stuttgart has done his job as a stop-gap in defensive midfield.

There were times when Endo was absolutely brilliant for Liverpool last season and he can clearly still be a very good addition for someone.

And according to journalist Graeme Bailey, there are plenty of teams in the German Bundesliga who agree with that notion.

Speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, Bailey says that it’s looking possible that Endo could leave Liverpool in January, with a number of sides already jostling for his signature.

READ MORE: Wataru Endo reveals what Liverpool staff keep asking him about his Japan teammates

“From what I’m hearing it could be that Endo goes in January,” says the reporter.

“I’m hearing there are German clubs willing to take him back to the Bundesliga. I imagine there might be interest elsewhere in Europe as well.

“Come December if he hasn’t had any game time I think we’ll see it become a bit more likely that Endo will leave.”

Who could Liverpool replace Wataru Endo with?

While Zubimendi would nominally have been the Endo replacement had he arrived in the summer, Liverpool’s remit in the transfer window has now changed.

With Gravenberch doing so well, it doesn’t seem necessary to bring in a player of Zubimendi’s calibre as an almost certain starter.

Instead, Liverpool should reinforce Gravenberch’s new-found status as a key man and sign someone who can be his understudy instead.

Endo is performing that role now, but clearly doesn’t have the skillset that Slot is looking for in a player in that position.

As a result, we think Liverpool should look at a slightly lower-profile player, maybe a youngster, who can provide good cover while still ensuring that Gravenberch is given the freedom to play and to grow into the role. Still, it would be a shame to lose Endo.