Liverpool could use Takumi Minamino as a makeweight in an attempt to sign Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos, according to a report from Spanish publication La Razon (via Daily Express).
The report claimed that the Reds are willing to use the Japan winger in a part-exchange deal in order to land Ocampos this summer.
A left winger by trade, the 26-year-old Argentine has become a key player for the La Liga side, helping them to Europa League glory last year and already contributing directly to 11 goals this season. Minamino, on the other hand, found himself on the fringes at Anfield before being allowed to leave on loan to Southampton for the remainder of the season.
Since arriving on the south coast, the Japanese forward, who was described as ‘incredible’ by former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique, has bagged two goals, including a sublime finish in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Despite his early success at St Mary’s and Jurgen Klopp’s continued desire to retain the 26-year-old for the future, Minamino’s career on Merseyside remains up for debate, and Sevilla are the main protagonists for a permanent move.
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Allowing Minamino to leave, having only signed him last January for £7.25m, would perhaps go down as one of the few failures in recent times from the Anfield transfer department. However, with Ocampos having a market value of £40.5m, Liverpool would almost certainly be keen to reduce any transfer fee required to land the Argentine.
Accustomed to operating in Klopp’s preferred 4-3-3 system, the Sevilla ace has become famed for his intelligent movement and ability to interchange with his fellow strikers, as well as his high levels of defensive contribution – all qualities which could endear him to the Reds.
With Roberto Firmino’s downturn in form and the defending Premer League champions’ powers seemingly on the wane, this summer is going to be crucial to introduce fresh blood.
