Liverpool are reportedly hoping to pull off a last-minute hijack to beat AC Milan to the signature of Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Daichi Kamada.
The Japanese playmaker is confirmed to be leaving the 2021-22 Europa League champions when his contract expires at the end of the season and will not be short of offers from foreign clubs.
Featuring as a number eight, attacking midfielder and winger during the 2022-23 season, Kamada ended another productive campaign with 16 goals and seven assists from 46 outings across all tournaments.
The 26-year-old's age and availability on a free transfer would have seemingly led to an intense scramble for his services, but Milan have been expected to win the race for his signature for some time.
Kamada is already believed to have given Milan his word that he will move to San Siro, but with nothing official signed, a multitude of clubs are still holding out hope of a late steal.
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According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are among the teams keeping a close eye on the situation, while Borussia Dortmund, Benfica and Atletico Madrid are also still in the race.
Milan are thought to be willing to pay Kamada €3m (£2.6m) per year at San Siro, but the 26-year-old could expect a much higher wage at Anfield should he have a last-minute change of heart.
Given their financial superiority, Liverpool have not yet conceded defeat in their efforts to sign Kamada, but Milan are still expecting the playmaker to put pen to paper imminently.
However, the Rossoneri are pushing for the Frankfurt man to make his move official as soon as possible in order to quash any doubts, and he will likely sign his four-year deal early next week if all goes to plan.
Kamada left Sagan Tosu in Japan to join Frankfurt in the summer of 2017, and he has made 178 appearances for Die Adler since that €1.5m (£1.3m) switch.
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The Japan international has scored 40 goals and set up 33 more during his six years in Germany, netting five times en route to the 2021-22 Europa League crown and also winning the DFB-Pokal in 2018.
Kamada could get his hands on Germany's premier cup honour for the second time when Frankfurt meet RB Leipzig in Saturday's final, which will be his 179th and final match for Die Adler before he seeks pastures new.
While they are likely to suffer disappointment in their efforts to sign Kamada, Liverpool are believed to be closing in on a deal for Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister, who is set to become their first acquisition of the summer window.
The Reds have supposedly almost agreed personal terms with the Argentine World Cup winner, and they are hoping to thrash out the final details with Brighton next week, with a fee of £60m potentially being needed to prise him away from the Amex.
Liverpool's midfield ranks have been thinned by the exits of Arthur, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on free transfers, while Roberto Firmino - who was also capable of operating in a deeper role - will depart at the end of June also.
Ben Knapton
