By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

18th Aug, 2023 | 10:24am

Sources: Wataru Endo completes Liverpool medical amid centre-back twist

Wataru Endo is set to undergo a medical at Liverpool as they look to complete the deal ahead of Saturday’s clash against Bournemouth, sources have told Football Insider.

The 30-year-old midfielder is set to join the Reds after they agreed a £15million transfer fee with VfB Stuttgart.

Endo has flown to Liverpool to complete his medical examination before signing a contract to become Liverpool’s third signing of the window after Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Jurgen Klopp has been eager to add a defensive midfielder to his squad this summer but fell short in his pursuit of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with the duo both set to join Chelsea.

Liverpool were pipped to Caicedo’s signature by the Londoners despite agreeing a British record transfer fee of £111million with Brighton.

Klopp has now turned his attention to Endo, who captains Bundesliga side Stuttgart as well as the Japan national team.

Endo scored in Stuttgart’s 4-0 win over TSG Balingen in the DFB-Pokal on Saturday afternoon (12 August).

He was ever present for Stuttgart in their 2022/23 campaign, missing only one match all season as he scored six and assisted five times in 40 total appearances.

Endo has shown his versatility for club and country by playing at both centre-back and defensive midfield, although he spent the majority of last season in a midfield role.

Liverpool will need to register the midfielder by the 12pm Friday lunchtime cut-off for him to feature in their Premier League clash against Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.

In other news, Liverpool could now complete three late signings as terms agreed