By Wayne Veysey

11th Jun, 2022 | 7:39am

Sources: Wolves in pole position to sign Liverpool star Takumi Minamino ahead of Leeds United and Fulham

Wolves are in pole position to sign Liverpool attacker Takumi Minamino, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

The Merseysiders want £17million for the Japan international, 27, and have given the green light for him to find a new club this summer.

A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that Wolves have made contact over a deal for Minamino and have held talks with his representatives.

Negotiations are progressing over a deal, amid growing signs the Molineux outfit are willing to match the asking price of the Champions League finalists.

Wolves face competition from multiple Premier League rivals, including Fulham and Leeds United.

Southampton and Monaco have also been credited by reports with an interest in the versatile attacker, who can play anywhere across the front line.

Minamino played a key role in Liverpool’s remarkable 2021-22 campaign, which ended with two domestic trophies and near misses in the Premier League and Champions League.

He had an impressive goals-per-minutes ratio, with his 1008 minutes spread across 24 matches yielding 10 goals in all competitions.

But he has struggled for game time in the face of intense competition for places, particularly since Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane returned from African Cup of Nations duty in February.

The Japan star made just one Premier League start among 11 appearances in the competition – scoring three goals in the process – for Jurgen Klopp’s side in 2021-22.

Klopp admitted in March he had found it hard not to include the Japanese star in his squad more often during the campaign.

In other news, superstar tells club he wants to sign for Liverpool “within days”.