Liverpool are on the verge of signing Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo.
The Japan international has become Jurgen Klopp’s primary midfield target after he missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in swift succession.
Endo is expected on Merseyside in the next 24 hours to finalise a proposed £15 million transfer which will end his four-year stay in the Bundesliga.
That left-field move for the 30-year-old was prompted by the Reds’ failure to source ready-made replacements for both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
Several targets have been touted with move to Liverpool after Caicedo and Lavia spurned their overtures in favour of Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Crystal Palace’s Cheik Doucoure and Fulham enforcer Joao Paulinha were among the more established names linked but Endo is now Anfield’s priority.