Liverpool is considering a bid for Japanese international Takefusa Kubo this summer, but they may need to move quickly to secure his transfer. Mundo Deportivo reports that Tottenham and Manchester United are also interested. Tottenham has made an offer, but it does not meet Kubo’s release clause of approximately $63.4 million (£50 million/€59.3 million).
This situation could allow Liverpool to target Kubo as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, whose future at Anfield is uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract.
So, who is Kubo? Liverpool.com explores his career and what he might bring to Anfield under manager Arne Slot. Kubo’s football career began in Japan, where he was discovered by Barcelona at age eight. He joined their prestigious La Masia academy at ten in 2011 and spent four years in Europe.
However, due to Barcelona’s breach of FIFA’s international transfer regulations for under-18 players, Kubo was ruled ineligible to play for the club and returned to Japan in 2015, signing with FC Tokyo.
Kubo’s talent quickly caught the attention of another European powerhouse, Real Madrid, who signed him to a five-year contract in 2019. After participating in pre-season, Kubo was loaned to Mallorca, where he made his La Liga debut. He then had further loan spells with Villarreal and Getafe before returning to Mallorca in 2021. The following year, Kubo moved to Real Sociedad on a permanent transfer, having never played a senior match for Real Madrid.
Since joining Real Sociedad, Kubo has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 65 league appearances. Additionally, he has netted four goals in 35 appearances for Japan, often playing alongside Liverpool’s Wataru Endo.
Often referred to as ‘the Japanese Messi,’ Kubo was once predicted to become one of the world’s top players. Despite the high expectations of this comparison, the 23-year-old has managed to excel. “Being called the Japanese Messi is an honor and makes me proud, but I’m still not at his level and I prefer to focus on my own abilities and strengths,” Kubo remarked in 2019.
For those unfamiliar with Kubo’s playing style, FBref provides a comparison with players such as Said Benrahma, Mykhailo Mudryk, Jack Grealish, and Nico Williams. Like Mohamed Salah, Kubo is a left-footed attacker who typically plays on the right side. In a 2020 interview with France Football, Kubo shared his ambitions:
“My dream has always been to become one of the best players, and I will keep working towards that goal. I’ve always said my aim was to play for Real Madrid, and I strive for that, doing my best even though the future is uncertain. I enjoy playing football in one of the world’s top leagues.”
Liverpool’s interest in Kubo is understandable given his potential and strong performances. However, with other top clubs also vying for him and his substantial release clause, securing his transfer could prove challenging but potentially rewarding for the Reds.
