West Ham United stance on Wataru Endo transfer amid Liverpool exit update – ExWHUemployee
West Ham United chief Tim Steidten is a fan of Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo who is available this summer, according to ExWHUemployee.
The Irons insider reported via The West Ham Way (1 August) that the Japanese international would be within the Hammers budget after Marseille had a £12.7million offer rejected for his services earlier this summer.
David Sullivan is also keen on signing an Asian player as it would be beneficial to Julen Lopetegui’s side from a marketing perspective off of the field.
Steidten is known to be an admirer of Endo and was also a fan of his during his time in Germany where he starred for Stuttgart before making the move to Anfield last summer.
Will Endo exit Liverpool amid West Ham United transfer speculation?
West Ham’s focus so far in the transfer window has been bolstering Julen Lopetegui’s options in areas of the field that the Hammers are short of quality, such as at centre-back and the top end of the pitch.
But with work now being done to address those problem areas, the Hammers can begin to turn their attention to adding some depth to their ranks and that is exactly where a player like Endo comes into the fold.
The Japanese international isn’t the perfect player, but he showed in his debut season at Anfield that he has the ability to be a destructive presence out of possession and an effective one with the ball from the base of midfield.
Edson Alvarez is and likely will remain the first choice option in that role, but Endo would add some depth in a similar manner to what was initially expected of Kalvin Phillips when he arrived on loan from Manchester City.
It will be interesting to see whether or not Steidten and Sullivan’s initial interest transforms into a genuine bid in the coming weeks.
Whether or not this deal happens will likely be down to whether or not Liverpool are willing to sanction his exit.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have tabled a new bid for Borrusia Dortmund striker Niclas Fulkrug as they look for a new striker
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.