Leeds Utd transfer on the brink with new suitor ready to satisfy Liverpool demand for Minamino

A new Premier League side has surged ahead in the race to sign Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino, and a report has explained why Leeds Utd and Southampton are now facing an uphill struggle.

Liverpool have made it clear the Japan international can leave this summer. His potential exit will coincide with that of Divock Origi’s and Sadio Mane’s from the forward ranks. To ensure Jurgen Klopp isn’t caught short, the Reds have reportedly forged a club-record agreement to sign Darwin Nunez.

The finer details of that move can be found here. But regarding Minamino, Liverpool are hopeful they’ll recoup £17m to put towards other deals.

Minamino is one of five players facing the axe with the quintet scheduled to generate £100m in sales if all depart.

The Times recently reported Leeds Utd and Southampton were the frontrunners for Minamino.

Leeds will be hopeful their Jesse Marsch connections can serve them well after the American managed Minamino at RB Salzburg.

Southampton, meanwhile, have signed the 27-year-old before when taking him on loan for the second half of the 2020-21 campaign.

But according to Football Insider, it is Wolves who have surged ahead in the race.

This is Anfield’s David Lynch declared Wolves to be a contender for the versatile attacker. Football Insider take it a step further, claiming Wolves are now in ‘pole position’.

Explaining precisely what that means, it’s reported Wolves have ‘made contact’ with Liverpool and have ‘held talks’ with the player’s representatives.

The negotiations are deemed to be ‘progressing’ well and Wolves are even reportedly prepared to match Liverpool’s £17m valuation.

Liverpool will likely sell to the highest bidder, meaning the onus is now on Leeds or the Saints to stump up the £17m