As Leeds United creep towards the January transfer deadline next Monday, this weekend could prove to be a hectic one for Victor Orta.
Various reports last night indicated Leeds had been rebuffed in an attempt to bring in Japanese international Takumi Minamino on loan during this window.
However, the landscape appears to have shifted once again as according to The Athletic, Liverpool are now receptive to permanent transfer offers for the 27-year-old and fellow Reds attacker Divock Origi.
This is due to developments in the chase for in-demand FC Porto forward Luis Diaz, who Liverpool appear to have moved ahead in the race for.
Tottenham Hotspur were first in line to land the Colombian attacker, but latest reports indicate Jurgen Klopp's side now appears the likeliest destination.
If Leeds return with a permanent offer for Minamino, it will have shades of Daniel James' transfer last summer.
Leeds seemed dormant for large periods of the summer window, before Cristiano Ronaldo's return Old Trafford made James available at the eleventh hour.
A similar domino effect could occur in the final throes of the January window if Leeds intend to double down on their reported interest for Minamino.
As yet, there are no such suggestions of bids being lodged, but the club's pursuit of Brenden Aaronson earlier this month - which saw £15 million and £20 million approaches mulled over but ultimately turned down - would suggest Leeds are currently willing to commit a similar level of expenditure on the right player.
Liverpool paid just £7.5 million for the attacker when he joined from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.
There are roughly three days until the window comes to a close for another six months, and with Liverpool's renewed stance a recent development, there remains plenty of work to be done if Leeds are to pull off a move for the Japan international.
