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Wednesday 18 December 2019 08:52, UK
Liverpool are in talks to sign Red Bull Salzburg's Takumi Minamino in January.
The 24-year-old has a £7.25m release clause in his contract, which has alerted a number of Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A clubs, but providing he passes a medical and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Liverpool should have their man when the window opens.
The Japan attacking-midfielder impressed against Liverpool in their two Champions League group games this season, scoring at Anfield.
Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund said on Thursday: "I can confirm that there are currently discussions with Liverpool. It is an honour which clubs are interested in our players."
Minamino has been one of the stars of an exciting Salzburg team that has lit up the Champions League group stage this season, playing alongside the equally impressive forwards Hwang-Hee Chan and Erling Braut Haaland.
After going 3-0 down on Merseyside in October, head coach Jesse Marsch switched Minamino's position and he stole the show in a number 10 role, as Salzburg came back to 3-3 before Mo Salah bagged a late winner.
Minamino, who has 11 goals in 22 games for Japan, also scored against Genk and has seven more in league and cup in Austria this season, taking his tally to nine in all competitions so far.
He joined RB Salzburg from Japanese side Cerezo Osaka for less than £1m in 2015.
Analysis from Sky Sports News' Vinny O'Connor...
"Minamino has impressed in Red Bull Salzburg's two games against Liverpool in the Champions League. He scored at Anfield and impressed on Tuesday night over in Salzburg.
"In the current market he's arguably worth around £20m, perhaps even more than that, but he has a release clause of £7.25m. It's a no-brainer from Liverpool's perspective.
"It makes sense to make the move and accelerate their interest given he is being chased by a number of Bundesliga and Serie A clubs. Manchester United are also being linked with a move as well, but at the moment, it appears Liverpool are best placed to complete a deal and look favourites to bring him to Merseyside."
Sky Sports will bring you the very latest news from the January transfer market with the return of three shows.
Start your day with Good Morning Transfers at 9am as our team of reporters bring you the latest news and insight. Transfer Talk then follows at midday delivering analysis of the biggest stories. Then join us at 7pm for the definitive round-up of the day's news with The Transfer Show.
Meanwhile, the Transfer Talk podcast will also be back at the turn of the year with more expert analysis from here and across the continent.
And as well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
