Liverpool 'reject bid' for midfielder as Bundesliga sides register interest
- Liverpool received an offer from French side Marseille for Wataru Endo
- Midfielder moved to Anfield from Stuttgart last summer
- Reds keen on keeping the midfielder as they build a team under Arne Slot
Liverpool rejected a bid from Marseille for midfielder Wataru Endo earlier in the summer, a report has revealed.
The Japanese international arrived at Anfield last year after leaving Bundesliga side Stuttgart, making an immediate impression under then-manager Jurgen Klopp. The 31-year-old made 43 appearances during the 2023/24 season, registering three goals and one assist across all competitions.
His efforts in the Premier League attracted the interest of French side Marseille and, according to The Athletic, the French side lodged a bid worth €14m (£11.8m) earlier in the window which was knocked back.
Fabrizio Romano adds that the bid for Endo was submitted weeks ago and, considering Marseille have since signed Ismael Kone and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, is not expected to be reignited.
Endo is also on the watchlist of a number of Bundesliga sides who are keen to replicate his success for Stuttgart, but Liverpool are keen to keep the Japan international at Anfield to work under new manager Arne Slot.
Endo's Liverpool contract isn't set to expire until 2027 and his place within the squad has little competition. The veteran has even admitted defensive midfield should be a priority area in this summer transfer window because of the lack of natural alternatives to himself in the team.
Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajcetic can all step into the holding midfield role, while young Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni have seen minutes in pre-season as well.
Liverpool are yet to make any new signings for new manager Slot, who has admitted he is keen to see some new faces join his squad.
"If there's any news on that we will come to you," Slot said. "But we already have a very good team, where I am already really happy.
"It would be a surprise for all of us if we don't bring any players in, so that will probably happen in the end. For now we are just waiting for the players to come back and waiting for the right ones to sign."
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