Liverpool join the hunt for Japanese maestro
Reports have emerged that Liverpool will challenge the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan and Juventus for the signature of Shinji Kagawa who could head for the exit of the Westfalenstadion this summer.
Borussia Dortmund look set to clinch the £13m signature of Borussia Monchengladbach talisman Marco Reus at the end of the current season, meaning that Kagawa will undoubtedly find first team opportunities easier to come by.
The Japanese international won’t be keen on seeing himself pushed out of the starting XI much like teammate Lucas Barrios, who has only made several starts this campaign following the inspiring form of Robert Lewandowski.
Kagawa’s current contract at the Dortmund side will only have one year remaining on it at the end of this season and if Liverpool make good on their interest, the playmaker might jump at the chance to move to the Premier League.
Regardless of how hard opportunities might be in the future, the 22 year-old has still made 26 starts this season, scoring ten goals and making eight assists in the process.
Kenny Dalglish’s side spent over £50m on the midfield and wing trio of Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson last summer but with New England Sports Ventures seemingly keen to invest, funds may once again be available to the side looking to crack their way back into the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund widened the gap at the top of the Bundesliga on Friday after second-placed ‘Gladbach were held at home by Schalke 04 and may just retain their German title, making for a possible power shift in the league.
That being said, £15m-rated Kagawa will still need to play first-team football and if he can’t see himself gaining that with likes of Mario Goetze and Marco Reus ahead of him, he may seek to ply his trade elsewhere.
