Report: Liverpool in talks to sign Salzburg's Minamino for £7.25M

Liverpool reportedly have their sights set on Red Bull Salzburg forward Takumi Minamino.

It's understood the Reds will attempt to sign the Japanese international for £7.25 million when the January transfer window opens, according to Fabrizio Romano and Marcus Christenson of the Guardian.

Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund said the club has opened negotiations with Liverpool.

"I can confirm that there are talks with Liverpool at the moment. It is an honor (for us) to see the caliber of clubs who are interested in our players."

Liverpool are hopeful of completing the deal in the coming days in order to take advantage of the low release clause in Minamino's contract, the Guardian adds.

If negotiations go to plan, the Merseyside club is expected to sign Minamino to a five-year contract.

Manager Jurgen Klopp is said to have been impressed by the 24-year-old after watching him during Liverpool's two matches against Salzburg in the Champions League group stage.

Minamino already knows what it's like to score at Anfield after scoring one of his nine goals in all competitions this season during Salzburg's 4-3 loss in October.

The Premier League club is believed to be the front-runners to sign Minamino despite reported interest from Bayern Munich and Marseille.

Minamino has scored 41 goals in 129 league games since joining the Austrian club from Japanese side Cerezo Osaka in 2015.