Liverpool set to double their money on Minamino with deal agreed with Monaco

The popular Japanese forward has reportedly agreed a deal to join Monaco on a permanent basis this summer, ending his two-and-a-half year spell at Anfield.

The 27-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Ligue 1 side over a permanent switch, with just a medical still to be completed before the move can be finalised.

With Minamino currently in Japan, that will be scheduled upon his return to Europe.

It is claimed a fee worth around £15.5million has been agreed for the transfer of the Anfield fan-favourite.

Having joined the club from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of £7.25million in January 2020, the deal to sign Minamino has certainly paid off for Reds, with Liverpool more than doubling their money on the star.

That said, and despite his popularity with supporters, his time at Anfield perhaps hasn't gone as well as he'd have liked - as the forward made clear in a recent interview.

Since joining in January 2020, Minamino has made 53 appearances, scoring 14 goals in the process.

In those appearances, the forward has started just five times in the Premier League and four times in the Champions League, with the majority of his appearances coming from the bench or in the domestic cup competitions.

And, speaking in a recent interview ahead of his Liverpool exit, Minamino admitted his frustration over his role at the club, saying he 'felt motivated by regret and anger every day'.

"Many of the games I played weren't of interest to anyone," Minamino told Sanspo.

"Even if I left the results, there wasn't much response. I was trying to inspire myself to prove my worth. I was doing personal training other than team training.

"I was thinking that I would leave something behind when I went to the match mentally. I felt motivated by regret and anger every day. I've never had this much time as a player. It was difficult to maintain the condition and connect with my feelings.

"But it was a season that seemed to have grown. It was disappointing but fulfilling. At the same time, it makes sense to play an important game and leave a result, so it is said that I got out and got a result, but I do not think it was a big deal.

"I want to do my best to be a player who can produce results in important games."

While showing his quality during a brief loan spell with Southampton, Minamino will be hoping that a move to Monaco is exactly what he needs to kickstart his career and show the football world what he is all about.

While the blockbuster deal to sign Darwin Nunez has certainly got supporters excited, Gabriel Agbonlahor has suggested that Liverpool will need to strengthen in midfield if they're to challenge Man City this term.

"Nunez is a top player," the ex-Premier League star said. "He will improve and get even better. But Liverpool need midfielders.

"Thiago has injury problems, Jordan Henderson's legs will start going now he's in his thirties.

"They need two midfielders. Jude Bellingham would fit in perfectly for them.

"In defence and in goal, they have enough cover. Two centre-midfielders and Nunez, then they'll be back challenging Man City for the title next season.

"You look at City's midfield, I think Liverpool need at least one midfielder."