This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
The transfer window is just around the corner, and the speculation is beginning to grow with each passing day.
One of the latest rumours is Takumi Minamino’s mooted switch to Anfield for just £7.25m. The Japan international has played twice against the Reds for current club RB Salzburg already this term, even scoring at Anfield in the first clash between the two.
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From a footballing point of view, he would be a good signing. The 24-year-old has scored nine goals and made 11 assists in 21 matches so far for the Austrian team, and he showed off his impressive work-rate against Jurgen Klopp’s this midweek. For such a small fee, he would surely represent a bargain, and it is not hard to imagine him slotting into the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s starting XI.
However, from a commercial point of view, it could be an even bigger success story. Football in Asia is a huge market – in 2013, Liverpool had more social media followers in Indonesia than the whole of the UK, whilst a survey from 2011 shows that 32% of all the people who watch the Premier League come from the continent – yet it is something that Liverpool have not tapped into 100% yet, especially in Japan. A survey from last year showed that even Arsenal have a bigger following in the far-eastern country than the Reds.
There are already a number of Asian players who have played in the Premier League, and they have brought in huge commercial value for their respective clubs. Park Ji-Sung spent seven years with Manchester United and, although David Gill said that he was signed for footballing reasons first, he was quick to add just how much added value he brought off the field as well.
Heung-Min Son is another player who has been a huge commercial star for a Premier League club, this time Tottenham, as the deal they signed with South Korean company Kumho Tyre in 2016 indicates. Minamino could see Liverpool get in on the act. There has already been talks of the Reds traveling to China for a one-off match during pre-season next term, and they also toured the country two years ago. The Asian market is clearly one they are looking to grow in, and signing potential star players such as the Salzburg man will only help them do that. If he is able to perform on the pitch as well, that will be a bonus.
In other news, Liverpool fans don’t want the club to sign this superstar.
