Liverpool remain interested in a deal to sign Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad next summer.
Kubo was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool during this summer’s transfer window but a deal for the Japan international failed to materialise.
Liverpool added to their attacking options with the arrival of Federico Chiesa from Juventus, agreeing a cut-price £10.9m deal to sign the Italian.
Despite that arrival, Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that the Reds are continuing to track the progress of Kubo amid a long-standing interest in the player.
Kubo sought as Salah successor
Kubo, who has been dubbed “Japanese Messi”, has emerged as one of La Liga’s best ball-carriers and last season ranked among the top six players in Spanish football for progressive carries, carries into the penalty area and chances created.
A left-footer with a preference for operating from the right-wing, he has been shortlisted as a potential successor to Mohamed Salah at Anfield. Salah is out of contract in 2025 and revealed before the international break that there have been no talks over an extension.
“I just want to enjoy it and I don’t want to think about it,” Salah told Sky Sports after scoring in the win at Manchester United.
“I feel like I’m free to play football and then we’ll see what happens next year.
“I was coming to the game today thinking it could be the last time. Nobody at the club has spoken to me yet about a new contract so I just play this last season and then see at the end of the season.
“It’s not up to me but nobody talk to me about a contract with the club. We’ll see.”
Despite Salah’s continued high standards, his future remains up in the air as Liverpool weigh up the risk of offering a lucrative new contract to a player who turned 32 in the summer.
Kubo is understood to have a release clause of €60m (£51m) in his contract in San Sebastien.
