Wataru Endo undergoing Liverpool medical

Stuttgart midfielder Wataru Endo is undergoing a medical with Liverpool ahead of a £16m switch to Anfield, 90min understands.

Having lost out to Chelsea in pursuit of both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the Reds have begun working on alternatives and struck a deal with Stuttgart to sign 30-year-old Japan international Endo on Wednesday.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that Stuttgart have granted permission for Endo to undergo a medical with Liverpool on Thursday as the move inches closer to completion.

Endo, who is understood to have been recommended by Liverpool’s new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, had publicly admitted his desire to play in England and did not hesitate to agree to Liverpool’s offer.

Liverpool remain keen to sign a second midfielder alongside Endo and have drawn up a lengthy shortlist of potential targets.

The Reds are admirers of Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat but have not yet submitted a bid for the Morocco international, who has reached an agreement with Manchester United but is growing frustrated with the delay from the Red Devils. Liverpool have asked to be kept informed of any developments.

Long-time target Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich is also on Liverpool’s radar, as is Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure.

Liverpool have already signed both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer but were forced into a second phase of a midfield rebuild when both Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were sold to Saudi Arabia.