Stuttgart 'not thrilled' at Liverpool transfer for Wataru Endo as midfielder set for medical
Stuttgart admit they are "not thrilled" at the prospect of losing Wataru Endo as the Japan international prepares to complete a "dream" move to Liverpool.
Endo has flown to England and is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday after the Reds agreed a deal with the Bundesliga club believed to be in the region of an initial £16million.
Liverpool have made their move for the 30-year-old defensive midfielder having failed in their attempts to sign Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Southampton's Romeo Lavia following the exits of James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho this summer.
And Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness admits he is disappointed at the prospect of Endo leaving as he offered a glimpse of what the Reds can expect from his departing skipper.
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"Wataru Endo has been cleared by the club for talks," said Hoeness, speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
"He flew to England for a medical check and wasn't in training today. At the age of 30 he now has the opportunity to join Liverpool in the Premier League. It's a dream of his.
"From the club's point of view, we speak of an economically good package. From a sporting point of view, of course, I'm not thrilled. Wataru is an important player both athletically and personally. He's our captain. He has made 99 of 102 possible Bundesliga games. He was always there in important moments.”
Hoeness added: "But I won't start lamenting. We regret it because we will miss him sportingly. However, we are confident that we will be able to compensate for this in the short term. We have the
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