Liverpool are reportedly ready to make a move for a £50m rated winger who has been likened to Lionel Messi.
The transfer window may have ended a few weeks ago, but for Liverpool’s sporting director and the rest of the club’s recruitment team their work is never ending.
Already, there will be a shortlist prepared ahead of the January and the summer window with some key decisions facing Hughes and his team.
There are contract decisions to make over Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Not to mention, there are other areas of the squad where Liverpool will look bolster Arne Slot’s squad.
READ MORE: Arne Slot promoted ‘brilliant’ Liverpool academy talent to first team squad
Why Liverpool are ready make a move for Takefusa Kubo
The big question at Liverpool remains the lack of depth on the right-wing. Federico Chiesa is capable of playing in that role. However, the Italian is also more confident on the left.
With Salah’s future at the club still in doubt, the Reds have to line up alternative solutions to the Egyptian.
One of those according to Fichajes in Spain, could be Takefusa Kubo. According to the publication, Liverpool are ready to pay the Japanese international‘s €60m release clause, which roughly translates to £50m.
Kubo has always been highly regarded, and he was dubbed as the Japanese Lionel Messi by the Daily Mail.
Takefusa Kubo JPN, JUNE 11, 2024 – Football / Soccer : The Asian second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiersFIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Japan 5-0 Syria at the Edion Peace Wing Stadium in Hiroshima, Japan. Noxthirdxpartyxsales PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN 256353756
In the same Mail article, former Mallorca CEO, Maheta Molango, also tipped Kubo to become a ‘super star’ after having seen him impress at the club while on loan from Real Madrid.
“Kubo is very focused, very professional,” he said.
“That’s also down to his family, they’re very humble and hard-working. His talent is obvious, but the reason why he will one day be a football superstar is his head.”
Endo hints at Liverpool’s move for Kubo
Japan is a rising market in football and in recent years Liverpool have made history signing Takumi Minamino – who became the club’s first ever player from the country.
Wataru Endo has since become the second and during the current international break he hinted to Japanese media that more could follow suit.
“I get the impression that the evaluation of Japanese players who have transferred to England is gradually increasing,” Endo told reporters at his press conference before Japan’s game against China.
“I think there is a lot of interest in Japanese players from all over the world. I am also asked by Liverpool staff about Japanese players, saying, ‘What about that guy?’
Takefusa Kubo – Pro Shots
“It’s not that we want to transfer him, but just that he’s a good player, that kind of thing.”
It’s important to remember Liverpool’s connections with Japan stretches off the field as well.
The club have an ongoing partnership with one of the biggest Japanese media publishers, Kodansha, since 2021.
It’s no coincidence that partnership started after Minamino’s landmark signing for Liverpool and it definitely increases the incentive to bring in another Japanese player.
Especially, one as marketable as Kubo.
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