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Liverpool transfer for 'Japanese Messi' can offer Mohamed Salah solution for Arne Slot
Liverpool may be yet to name Jurgen Klopp's successor officially, but that hasn't stopped the Reds from being linked with a move for one of La Liga's most exciting young talents.
Real Sociedad midfielder Takefusa Kubo has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances in Spain's top flight this term and his stellar breakthrough campaign at the Reale Arena has seen him linked with a switch to Anfield this summer.
The 22-year-old, once on the books of Barcelona and Real Madrid as a teenage prodigy, has scored seven goals and laid on a further three assists for Europa League-chasing Sociedad this term, whom he joined from Real Madrid for a modest £5.5m in 2022.
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The 34-cap Japan international - of course, already dubbed the 'Japanese Messi' - has primarily played as a right-sided forward for Imanol Alguacil's side this season. He can also play on the left wing or behind the striker in a No.10 position.
Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs who have been touted with a big-money move for Kubo this summer, with Manchester United also linked with the Japan international. However, the 22-year recently quashed any rumours linking him with a move away from Real as he signed a new five-year deal with the San Sebastian outfit back in February.
"I'm very happy to be able to renew with this great club that has welcomed me very well and I'm very happy here," said Kubo. "A lot of things (reasons why he renewed), but above all the good feeling I have with my team-mates, with the fans and with the sporting direction, with everyone. The good feeling (I have) led me to this."
"I don't want this to be the news of the week. I personally want the news of the week to be the victory at Parc des Princes and we'll give everything to do that."
Liverpool could be in the market for a wide forward this summer as speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah's future continues to rumble on. The 32-year-old is approaching the final 12 months of his contract at Anfield and is yet to agree on new terms ahead of Arne Slot's appointment as head coach. However, the ECHO understands that Liverpool are very much planning for life with Mohamed Salah in their ranks next season.
But even with Salah still at Anfield, the prospect of Liverpool adding a young, dynamic wide operator to their ranks this summer remains an exciting one. Especially with the Egyptian looking in desperate need of a break in recent weeks as the Reds' hopes of landing a final Premier League title of the Klopp era faded away following a string of disappointing results, largely due to poor performances in attack.
At this stage, talk of Kubo making a summer move to Anfield are premature but at 22 and with experience in the Champions League as well as La Liga, the Japan international is certainly a talent that sporting director Richard Hughes should be keeping a close eye on when he arrives at Anfield this summer.
