Leeds are among the clubs targeting a deal for Takumi Minamino this summer – a player James Milner has said is “brilliant” in Liverpool training. The Japan star struggled for game time at Anfield last season.
Minamino, 27, scored 10 goals in 24 appearances for the Reds last term. But he only started nine of those 24 games, one of which came in the Premier League. Understandably, Minamino could be sold this summer.
The Mirror claim that Liverpool want Raphinha this summer – and are open to the idea of a player-plus-cash deal involving Minamino. The Anfield Watch report that Liverpool would be willing to sell for £17million.
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Leeds have been strongly linked with Minamino for some time now, having considered a move in January. Speaking about Minamino earlier this year, Milner was full of praise – claiming he is “brilliant” behind the scenes.
“No, he’s a great guy,” Milner told ITV Sport in March, after an FA Cup win over Norwich. “What a guy. What a player. He’s been patient. With the players that we have there is competition all over the place.
“He just carries on, every single day he is at that level. He is brilliant in training. Great temperament, regardless of what is happening. You can rely on him. He comes in and keeps scoring goals and important goals.”
Milner: Leeds target Minamino is ‘brilliant’, good signing?
Without a doubt. Minamino is just what Leeds need, even after the signing of Brenden Aaronson. While Raphinha could end up staying at Leeds due to Barcelona’s financial difficulty, Minamino is a good signing.
Aaronson gives Leeds an option as a 10, or a winger. Raphinha is likely to go and even Jack Harrison has been linked with Newcastle and Tottenham. So, a new attacking winger is needed and Minamino is ideal.
Jesse Marsch has reunited with Aaronson after his spell in Salzburg and Rasmus Kristensen is also said to be on his way. Minamino would make it a third reunion, from three signings.
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