4 months ago
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Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images
According to reports out of Japan, the Reds are closing on signing the Real Sociedad forward.
Liverpool are yet to make a summer signing and despite the strength of the squad left to new manager Arne Slot, this has some fans growing increasingly nervous with the kickoff to the 2024-25 season just around a month away now.
That could all change in a hurry if reports out of Japan are to be believed, though, with claims emerging that Liverpool are in very advanced negotiations to sign Real Sociedad forward and 23-year-old Japan international Takefusa Kubo.
Kubo is primarily a right winger though can deploy on either side of the pitch or as an advanced, attacking midfielder. A transfer fee of €60M (£50M) has been proposed for a player who would likely be seen as a long-term signing.
After spending time at Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a youth player—earning the inevitable nickname of the Japanese Messi in the process—Kubo returned to Japan with FC Tokyo before moving back to Spain and Real Madrid in 2019.
That move came with expectations it’s probably fair to say Kubo hasn’t yet met, and the player bounced around on loan in subsequent seasons before making a permanent move to Sociedad in 2022 where he has been a regular starter.
Last season, he scored seven goals and five assists in 41 games and statistically appears more support player than finisher, and while he’s a player with quick feet he is smaller and lacks the top end speed the Reds typically want in wingers.
For those seeing “right wing” and thinking succession plan to Mohamed Sala, the reality is that Kubo profiles most like Harvey Elliot, and there is a case that it is the younger Elliott whose overall game is actually currently more developed.
Despite questions raised by his high price—there are also eyebrow-raising rumours of a wage in excess of £200k per week—and profile, though, it’s worth remembering rumours out of a player’s home country at times can be highly accurate.
