Wataru Endo has emerged as a surprise target for Liverpool (Picture: Getty Images)

Liverpool have turned their attention to a surprise target in the transfer market, making a bid for Stuttgart and Japan captain Wataru Endo.

The Reds are in desperate need of a holding midfielder after the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson this summer, and after failed moves for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, both of whom have joined Chelsea.

As they search for a man to fill the role they have looked to the Bundesliga and identified Endo as someone who could do a job.

The 30-year-old has been at Stuttgart since 2019, making 133 appearances for the club in all competitions and scoring 15 goals.

He has also won 50 caps for Japan and wears the armband for both club and country, chiefly playing as a holding midfielder but also able to play at centre-back.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Wednesday night that an official bid has been made by Liverpool for Endo and negotiations with Stuttgart are underway, with the player keen on making the move.

Endo has never made any secret of his desire to play in the Premier League, even as Stuttgart captain he told Kicker in 2021: ‘It’s not secret that playing in the Premier League is a dream of mine.

‘If there was interest from one of the top clubs in England, I would certainly listen. But so far that hasn’t been the case.’

Endo was playing in Japan until 2018 when he made a switch to Sint-Truiden in Belgium, before moving on loan to Stuttgart in 2019.

The German club made the move permanent a year later and Endo swiftly became a key figure in the team and ultimately the captain.

MORE : Liverpool contact Fiorentina as they explore Sofyan Amrabat move

MORE : Why Romeo Lavia chose Chelsea over Liverpool after ‘bemusing’ Moises Caicedo bid

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