The Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Liverpool are very close to announcing the signing of Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg.

The Japanese international is now expected to join the Reds in the January transfer window, subject to a medical, with the Merseyside club having triggered the forward’s £7.25m release clause:

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Minamino-Liverpool, here we go! ? Takumi Minamino will join Liverpool on next January. Total agreement reached also with his agents on a five years contract. Just medicals to be completed and then paperworks will be signed. He feels “proud” to join Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp insisted to sign the Japanese immediatly. Release clause (£7,25M) will be paid to Salzburg. ?? #LFC #Liverpool #Minamino #TakumiMinamino ••••••••••••••••••••••????••••••••••••••••••••• Minamino al Liverpool: affare fatto ? Takumi Minamino sarà un nuovo giocatore del Liverpool già da gennaio: accordo totale con i suoi agenti per un contratto quinquennale, mancano solo le visite mediche poi sarà un affare concluso. Lo ha voluto fortemente Klopp, il Liverpool pagherá i 7,25 milioni di sterline della clausola al Salisburgo chiudendo un colpo capolavoro. ?? #transfers #Salzburg #japan #anfield #EPL

A post shared by Fabrizio Romano (@fabriziorom) on Dec 13, 2019 at 4:38am PST

When asked about Minamino earlier today, manager Jurgen Klopp refused to talk about the details of the transfer but did admit that he is an admirer of the 24-year-old:

“There’s nothing else to say about it. We speak about it when it’s sorted. He’s a very good player – I can say that – but I saw a few in the Salzburg team, much more than I wanted!”

Manchester United and a number of European clubs were also said to be in the running for the Japanese star but Liverpool have moved quickly to seal the deal for the winger.

With Minamino able to play right across the frontline, it will allow the likes Rhian Brewster and Curtis Jones to leave on loan next month so they can play more first-team football in the second half of the season.