Wataru Endo transfer stance as Liverpool midfielder 'tracked' after Marseille bid rejected

Transfer gossip is often a battle between rumor and counter rumor. Even reporters you trust can offer differing information .

As Liverpool supporters wait for the club to make a first signing for new head coach Arne Slot , the biggest Reds-related transfer news from the last few days is that Marseille has made a bid for Wataru Endo . The captain of Japan only joined last summer so his stay on Merseyside may prove to be brief.

But is Liverpool looking to sell Endo? The Liverpool Echo has reported one thing, journalist David Lynch has suggested another.

READ MORE: Liverpool answers Wataru Endo transfer bid that would pair him with controversial ex-Man Utd star

READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres has already been given clear transfer instruction - 'Let it be Liverpool'

The 31-year-old played the first half of the Reds’ 1-0 friendly win over Real Betis on Friday, though his performance was poor. There’s no need to go overboard when assessing a first start of a summer, of course, but it was hardly a good first impression ahead of 2024/25.

According to the Echo , there is “no appetite” to sell Endo, who reportedly has other unnamed clubs tracking him. However, Lynch has suggested on X that a higher offer 'could tempt the Reds to sell'.

These two reports initially appear contradictory but may be saying effectively the same thing. It’s perfectly plausible that Richard Hughes is not looking to sell Endo for the fee that was offered but he might be open to a more favorable deal.

Let’s put the figures into context. Endo was signed for $21.7m (£16.9m/€20m) on a four-year deal. For accounting purposes, that fee is spread over the term of the contract, meaning that his ‘value’ is three-quarters of what it cost to purchase him.

Therefore, if Liverpool was to sell Endo this summer for less than $16.3m (£12.7m/€15m) he would be leaving for a loss. It is perhaps unlikely that the full fee would be recouped on a veteran player but it is reasonable to wonder if an offer which ensured the Reds were not out of pocket as far as the accounts are concerned would tip the balance towards his exit.

Liverpool.com says: With the squad not overly blessed with defensively minded midfielders, it would be foolish to part with one if there is not a replacement lined up, even before we consider the financial aspect. A higher bid from Marseille, who are led by former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi , could easily give Hughes a more realistic decision to make though.