Wataru Endo has been taking medical tests ahead of a move to Liverpool and here is what Stuttgart fans are saying
Liverpool are on course to make their third summer signing in the form of VfB Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo.
His four-year association with Die Swabian is set to come to an end as the Japanese international edges closer to achieving his Premier League dream. He would join new midfield recruits Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the Anfield ranks.
On Wednesday night, news broke surrounding Endo which sparked a clamour for information from Liverpool fans to get the lowdown on their latest target.
It’s been a chaotic week in the transfer window for the Reds after missing out on Moises Caicedo as well as Romeo Lavia, who will both be joining Chelsea.
While Liverpool fans ponder over whether their third addition of the summer will be a hit, there has been an outpouring of dismay from Stuttgart fans.
Sebastian Hoeneß is preparing for life without his captain and fans have done their best to dissuade the midfielder from making the move to Merseyside.
Endo posted to his Instagram following Stuttgart’s commanding 4-0 win over Balligen, where the Japanese made a goalscoring impact – and fans have now taken the opportunity to make their feelings known.
One fan wrote: “Please stay in Stuttgart, we love you.”
Another Stuttgart supporter wished him well, adding: “Captain legend. The best captain of the last 10 years, a fighter and for us VfB fans forever a legend. Have fun in England, it was always your dream, we will miss you.”
“Thank you for everything, you machine,” another commented.
“Stay with VfB you are our captain and we need you, you are appreciated here like a legend. I would also allow you the switch, but you are our most important player at VfB,” another Stuttgart fan replied.
“If you really should eventually move to Liverpool I wish you all the very best in the Premier League because you deserve it 100% you’ve got it all & you’re also far too underrated by anyone outside of the VfB show it to the ones who don’t care about you I believe Captain.”
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Over on Reddit, more Stuttgart supporters reacted in similar ways.
One posted: “Huge news. We simply can’t deny Endo this opportunity. This is just another level of football and he deserves it. He’s been so good for us and deserves to be allowed to leave and play for a top tier club in the most competitive league in the world. I just hope he plays consistently because he’s too good to be in the bench. Replacing him will be hard but overall I’m happy for him.”
Another wrote: “This hurts a lot, but if someone deserves a big transfer in his career, it’s him. He is our captain, heart, strategist and warrior. He is irreplaceable for us. Despite his height good in the air, calm under pressure, progressive passer, can carry the ball, aggressive against it.”
A third added: “I’m pretty upset. He is the captain, the heart of the team, and also the Japan national team captain. I feel you are literally robbing us at gunpoint for only 18 million euro. Maybe price is low cause of age? I figured we could have gotten much more from a big 6 premier league side. Maybe there was a typo with the amount, or someone messed up the currency conversion.”
And a fourth said: “Honestly, I had already been wondering why Liverpool wasn’t interested in him amid their struggles of signing a DM, he fits their profile perfectly.
“He’s quite physical yet also surprisingly agile and intelligent on the field, good positioning defensively. Sometimes, his technical abilities might appear a bit weak, and he kind of fumbles the ball awkwardly between his legs, especially right after winning possession. But he’s still able to beat his defender a good chunk of the time, even though I can imagine this won’t really be required from him at Liverpool. Also, don’t underestimate his endurance; he might be 30 but he is one of those players that can probably go until 40 at this level.
“I know he isn’t the type of glamorous signing Liverpool fans are used to and probably expected but just wait until he settles in and plays the first few games. You’re going to absolutely love him. We sure did!”
