Takumi Minamino is a perfect bargain addition to Liverpool
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The rumours of Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho to Liverpool in early December were some of the most outlandish during the month. The rumours were based on nothing more than one footballer journalist’s speculation and so-called “insider information”.
In the wake of the rumours, Liverpool sealed a bargain deal for Red Bull Salzburg forward Takumi Minamino. While Sancho is a high-priced forward with excellent statistics, Minamino fits more into the typical Liverpool transfer committee purchase.
Not only does the Japanese international tick all of the boxes for players that the club look for, but his price is perfect. Minamino will arrive at Liverpool for £7.65 million.
He is worth three times that fee and Liverpool are getting a bargain due to his transfer release clause. Sancho, on the other hand, would cost Liverpool around £100m to £150m and possibly shake up the wage bill.
Minamino scored nine goals and tallied 11 assists in all competitions for Red Bull Salzburg this season. Three of those assists and two goals came in the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds got to see Minamino up close and personal in the Champions League. He bagged a goal and an assist versus Liverpool at Anfield on matchday 2. In their return match in Austria, Minamino was incredibly dangerous and a Red Bull Salzburg goal was likely to come from the forward.
Heading into the matchday 6 fixture, Minamino’s teammate Erling Haaland was Red Bull Salzburg’s most sought-after player. Yet, he was poor throughout the game with Minamino outshining him.
There is no arguing that Sancho’s stats are better than Minamino’s numbers. The Englishman has 12 goals and 13 assists in 24 matches. But the biggest factor in why Minamino is a better transfer purchase comes with the trophies he has won.
Minamino is a winner and experienced a trophy-laden tenure at Red Bull Salzburg. He won five Austrian Bundesliga titles and four Austrian Cups with Red Bull Salzburg. Sancho’s only trophy came earlier this season in Germany with Borussia Dortmund winning the German Super Cup.
Liverpool’s transfer committee has succeeded by finding top-notch players at a good price. Mohamed Salah is the chief example of the committee’s successful scouring for the right player at the right price.
Salah arrived for £37.8m as the Reds took advantage of Monchi and his eagerness to sell Roma’s best players. Minamino has the opportunity to achieve the same success that Salah has at Liverpool.
He is a different type of player and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Minamino play in a centre-forward role much like Roberto Firmino. He should shine as a goalscorer and creator.
If Minamino succeeds, he could be the player to push Liverpool over the line and onto their first-ever Premier League title.
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