Liverpool have next target after Wataru Endo lined up with club 'plotting move for Belgium international'

Liverpool have identified their next target after securing the signing of Wataru Endo, it has been claimed.

On Friday the Reds announced the signing of Endo from Stuttgart for a fee in the region of £16.2million, subject to a work permit and international clearance.

Liverpool secured the 30-year-old Japan international to a four-year contract, after missing out on both Ecuador international Moises Caicedo and Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

Endo, who captains Japan’s national team and was skipper of Stuttgart, said: "It feels amazing. It's always been a dream to play in the Premier League and with one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's a dream come true for me.

"I think I can help this club defensively and I will have good organisation in the middle."

Endo’s signing follows the departure of ex-Reds midfielders Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.

Given the score of exits this summer, Liverpool are likely to dip into the market for more reinforcements before the transfer deadline.

French publication L’Equipe claims (via Football365) Liverpool have added Rennes defender Arthur Theate to their list of targets, with Jurgen Klopp said to be in the market for a left-footed centre-back.

The Belgian international only moved to Rennes last summer from Oostende, but has since made 41 appearances for the Ligue 1 side and scored five goals in the process.

Theate’s form with Rennes, and on loan at Bologna the previous season, has seen him earn eight international caps for Belgium and some admiring glances from Europe’s elite.

Indeed, L’Equipe claims the 23-year-old, alongside his team-mate Jeremy Doku, who is the subject of interest from Manchester City, could both be playing Premier League football by the end of the window.

Liverpool also want another midfielder after they confirmed Endo’s arrival, with Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure and Nice’s Khéphren Thuram having all been linked.

On Endo, Klopp said: "I'm really happy. Wataru is a really good player. He is very experienced and loves to work extremely hard."

Topics: Football, Wataru Endo, Liverpool, Premier League, Transfers

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.