Liverpool are reportedly the latest to sign Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, with the Japanese foreigner set to be Arne Slot’s first signing.
Liverpool are entering a new era under Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager after almost nine years in charge, and reports from Japan claim Kubo is close to finalizing a big-money move to Anfield.
According to Japanese media Sponichi, the deal is “in the final stages” after the player’s representatives traveled to England. Liverpool are expected to pay around £55m for Kubo, with the report stating that he has been selected as Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor.
Salah has entered the final year of his contract, along with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Mirror Football understands Liverpool have ruled out promoting him this summer even if he signs a new deal.
“As far as contractual conditions are concerned, I don’t think it’s fair for me to communicate that,” Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes said earlier this month. “These are personal issues between the club and the players.
“The only fear that Arne and I have regarding this scenario is the overall commitment of the players to the cause for next season and we are surely confident that this will be the case. ” Meanwhile, Kubo is expected to sign up with foreign teammate Wataru Endo at Anfield.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals in 41 appearances for Sociedad last season, as they finished sixth in La Liga and qualified for the Europa League. And Zinedine Zidane is a fan of Kubo, and praised his performances during his loan spell in Mallorca while he was signed up for Real Madrid.
“I think he is having a good season,” Zidane said of Kubo in 2019. “He plays a lot and that is what we all wanted. He is a very attractive player, for the offer and for the future. I am satisfied that he is doing well.
“Of course, if he stayed at home tomorrow, it would be better. But I wish him the best and urge him to continue like this. His future, however, we will not know before the summer. Everything remains for later. “
If Kubo completes his move to Anfield, he will be the seventh Japanese player to participate in the Premier League next season along with Endo, Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, Crystal Palace new signing Daichi Kamada and Southampton duo Yukinari Sugawara and Renato Takaoka.
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