LIVERPOOL are on the verge of signing Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo, according to reports.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are desperate to recruit further midfield options before the transfer deadline.

Wataru Endo has emerged as a surprise Liverpool target

Earlier this summer, the Reds sold Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, while James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita all departed the club for free.

Liverpool has acquired RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister.

But, after being snubbed in favour of Chelsea by Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the Reds remain short of options.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool are “closing in” on Endo’s signature.

They add that the Japanese international has been given permission to travel to England to complete his move.

Fabrizio Romano reports the Reds have agreed a £15.5m fee.

Endo, 30, has just a year remaining on his Stuttgart contract.

The Bundesliga club had been eager to renew his deal.

But the player is keen to join Liverpool after learning of their interest.

Endo moved from Sint-Truiden to Stuttgart in 2019, originally on a loan.

He had made the switch from J-League team Urawa Red Diamonds to European football with the Belgian team a year earlier.

Endo is capable of holding midfield as well as center-back.

The 50-cap international was a member of Japan’s World Cup for the last two years.

He participated in Stuttgart’s DFB-Pokal victory over TSG Balingen last weekend, scoring in his team’s 4-0 DFB-Pokal victory.

Endo, 30, played in the World Cup in Qatar