Liverpool have shut down speculation that Takefusa Kubo is on the verge of a transfer move to Anfield this summer.
The Reds are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements to help kick-start the Arne Slot era and reports emanating out of Japan suggested Kubo had been identified as a possible long-term successor to Mohamed Salah.
Kubo enjoyed an excellent domestic campaign with Real Sociedad last term, racking up seven goals and four assists in La Liga, while also playing a key role as the club progressed to the last-16 stage of the Champions League.
Japanese outlet Sponichi claimed Kubo’s representatives were ‘in the final stages’ of discussions with Liverpool and that the Merseyside giants were ready to trigger the winger’s €60million (£50m) release clause at Sociedad.
However, according to The Athletic’s James Pearce, senior sources at both Liverpool and Sociedad have dismissed the recent rumours surrounding Kubo.
It’s claimed the 23-year-old forward has now flown to his native Japan to join up with his Sociedad team-mates and is expected to take part in their friendly with Gamba Osaka in Suita on Thursday.
Kubo joined Sociedad from Real Madrid in 2022 and still has five years remaining on his current contract in San Sebastian.
The Japan international spent four years in Barcelona’s La Masia academy as a teenager before returning to his homeland to play for FC Tokyo, where his eye-catching form attracted the attentions of Madrid.
However, Kubo was sent on three separate loan moves – to Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe – and left Madrid for Sociedad before making a first-team appearance for Los Blancos.
Liverpool were first heavily linked with Kubo back in April but Sociedad head coach, Imanol Alguacil. moved quickly to pour cold water on the speculation.
‘Takefusa is a Real Sociedad player and wants to continue at Real Sociedad,’ he told reporters in the wake of Sociedad’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Kubo himself, meanwhile, insisted he was ‘very happy’ at Real Sociedad after putting pen to paper on a new contract with the club back in February.
‘I am very happy to be able to renew with this great club which has welcomed me very well and in which I am very happy,’ he said.
On his decision to sign an extension, Kubo added: ‘There are many reasons, but above all else it is the good feeling I have with my teammates, with the fans, with the sports management, with everyone.’