Southampton seal late loan move for Minamino as Long exits

Southampton have completed a late move to sign Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino on loan for the rest of the season.

The Saints announced the signing of the Japan forward two hours after Monday’s 23:00 GMT deadline.

He replaces Shane Long, who moved to Championship side Bournemouth in another late move on a fairly quiet deadline day.

Minamino, 26, joined Liverpool in a £7.25m deal from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

But he has been on the periphery at Anfield, making just four Premier League starts since his arrival.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “Takumi will help provide another good attacking option and is importantly the right profile of player for us.

“This will give us some additional depth in our squad at an important time and I am looking forward to beginning work with him on the training pitch.”

Southampton turned to Minamino after being frustrated with other moves.

They had hoped to sign Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles but talks broke down and he joined West Bromwich Albion.

Meanwhile, Southampton’s French right-back Yan Valery, 21, has joined Championship side Birmingham on loan.