Wataru Endo names national teammate Takefusa Kubo to replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo seems to have revealed the club’s transfer plan to replace Mohamed Salah this summer, hinting towards a potential swoop for his compatriot and Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo.
The Reds’ interest in Takefusa Kubo is not something new. They were linked with the Japanese winger during the January transfer window, but a move failed to materialize. Now, Liverpool have been increasingly linked with the 23-year-old in the last couple of days as they search for Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement.
Since arriving at Liverpool from AS Roma back in 2017, Mo Salah has been the club’s most consistent performer for several seasons. He has shattered several records with his incredible output for the Merseysiders, bagging 211 goals and 89 assists in 349 appearances across all competitions thus far. The forward has proved to be a transformative signing, the Egypt international has played a key role in the club’s rich success during the Jurgen Klopp era.
However, having entered the final year of his current contract (Transfermarkt), Salah’s future at Liverpool has become uncertain. Saudi Arabian clubs have been vying for his signature since last summer, with Liverpool rejecting a staggering bid from Al-Ittihad. Although the Reds do not want to cash in on Salah, they are seemingly preparing a succession plan for a smooth transition whenever the 32-year-old decides to walk out of Anfield.
Amid Kubo rumours, Endo may have inadvertently slipped Liverpool’s transfer strategy to replace Salah while speaking to Japanese media.
When asked if he could sign one international colleague for Liverpool, Endo told ABEMA Sports Time (h/t Anything Liverpool): “Maybe Kubo. They’re looking for a replacement for Mo Salah, so that’s probably going to be a real area for Liverpool to strengthen in the future, and if they think about who can replace him, I think it’ll be Kubo.”
Japanese outlet Sports Nippon has claimed that the Reds had agreed a deal to sign Kubo for a fee in the region of £50m, but reliable Italian journalist Matteo Moretto rubbished the rumours. Amid the conflicting reports on the Japan international, it is difficult to determine just how concrete our club’s interest is in signing the Real Sociedad star.
Having failed to cut the mustard at Real Madrid, Kubo spent time on loan at clubs such as Mallorca, Villarreal, Getafe and Mallorca again before finding a permanent home at Real Sociedad in 2022. He has performed very well for the Basque outfit over two seasons, exciting the fans with his speed, energy, dribbling skills, flair and guile.
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With Salah having turned 32, it is practical on the club’s part to start searching for his long-term replacement. Considering his age, potential, playing style and European experience, Kubo, nicknamed ‘the Japanese Messi’, fits the bill perfectly at Anfield. It remains to be seen what exactly are the club’s summer transfer plans, although Endo’s recent teasing comments in the Japanese media may have offered some insight.
