Southampton completed the signing of Takumi Minamino two hours after the January transfer window closed.
But the Saints didn’t get everything that they asked for in the £500k deal to take the Japan international forward from Liverpool.
The versatile former Salzburg star has moved to St Mary’s until the end of the season, joining Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side in his quest for more game time.
Minamino, who has scored four times in 31 games for Liverpool since arriving 13 months ago, moves on loan with the Reds banking £500k from the temporary transfer.
But the 26 year-old may still have a long-term Anfield future after the Kop hierarchy and boss Jurgen Klopp rejected the Saints attempts to install a purchase option in his switch.
Mirror Sport understands that Southampton were keen on there being an agreed fee written into the deal to allow them to snap up Minamino on a permanent basis in the summer should he impress.
But Liverpool wanted to keep their options open with regards Minamino and the Saints were only able to get the deal over the line by agreeing to taking him without one.
Not agreeing to an option allows them to take him back in the summer with no issues should he shine on the south coast.
Or they can potentially negotiate a fee higher with Southampton than his new club were willing to pay to get the deal done on Monday.
Additionally, there is also the possibility that, if he’s available once more in the summer, other parties come to the table and Liverpool won’t be locked into a deal when something potentially more profitable comes along.
Southampton boss Hasenhuttl is confident that Minamino, whom he believes can fill any one of the four attacking positions in his side, can make an instant impact.
“I am very pleased to welcome Takumi to our squad for the rest of this season,” said the Austrian.
“He 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.”
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