Leeds United look to have fallen behind in the race to sign Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, according to reports, with Wolves in pole position. The 27-year-old is due to leave Anfield this summer for around £17 million, and has been linked with a move to Leeds and a reunion with former RB Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch.
But now Football Insider have reported that Wolves are leading the way, making contact with the club to negotiate a deal and with Minamino’s representatives to sort a contract. Bruno Lage’s side face competition from the Whites as well as Fulham and Southampton - where the Japan international spent the second-half of the 2020/2021 season - but have acted swiftly and are willing to meet Liverpool’s demands.
“A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that Wolves have made contact over a deal for Minamino and have held talks with his representatives.” They wrote. “Negotiations are progressing over a deal, amid growing signs the Molineux outfit are willing to match the asking price of the Champions League finalists.”
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Minamino spent time under Leeds boss Marsch in Austria, where 64 goals and 43 assists in 198 games attracted the attention of the Reds, who activated a £7.25 million release clause in January 2020. But the forward failed to make the instant impact that Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have since done, and has subsequently fallen down the pecking order.
Despite this, he managed 10 goals and an assist in 24 games for Jurgen Klopp’s side last season, acting as an important squad player for a side battling all the way in all four competitions. Minamino is well-liked at Elland Road by both Victor Orta and Marsch as a player who understands and is proven within Marsch’s narrow system, but it seems as though the club have either acted too slowly or turned away from a deal.
Two former Salzburg players have already arrived through the doors in the shape of Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen for a combined £35 million, while Marsch’s presence has added fuel to rumours of the likes of Minamino and RB Leipzig midfielder Tyler Adams.
