Liverpool interested in 23-year-old La Liga forward amidst Mohamed Salah contract saga: Reports
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo as a potential successor of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian winger's contract at Anfield expires next summer.
The Reds have entered a new era after Jurgen Klopp left at the end of last season and they appointed Arne Slot as manager. They have, however, three superstars in their final years of the contract - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. They are reportedly looking at potential successors for the latter.
As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are monitoring Takefusa Kubo as a potential signing next summer. The Japanese winger has impressed during his time at Real Sociedad since arriving from Real Madrid in 2022. He's scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists in 89 games for them.
As per the aforementioned report, Kubo is worth around £50 million with his contract with Real Sociedad expiring in 2029. Real Madrid have a sell-on clause for him as well, which means Erreala wouldn't budge much in negotiations.
Liverpool tried to sign another Real Sociedad player this summer - Martin Zubimendi. However, he eventually chose to stay with the Spanish side. The Reds could now return for their winger, especially if Salah leaves, next summer.
Liverpool icon believes Mohamed Salah wants to stay after his comments on his contract
After Liverpool's 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on September 1, Mohamed Salah made a claim about his contract situation. He said this could be his last season at Anfield as the club haven't reached out to him for an extension.
Former Reds defender Steve Nicol believes that this public statement could be a sign that Salah wants to stay at the club. He said on ESPN FC (via TBR Football):
“I’m not sure I’ll go along with the sour note to be honest with you. I actually came away from that thinking that there may be an interest that he wants to stay. That’s what I got out of it... I mean Mo Salah, there was nothing disgruntle about what he was saying, he had a smile on his face the whole time, he didn’t seem as though he was disappointed."
Nicol continued:
“He didn’t seem as though he was upset. I really, I was quite interested after he finished because I got the impression that he certainly wasn’t saying I’m off. The way I took it I thought it was quite good, I thought he might stay.
“Up until he spoke, anybody who asked me previously I would’ve said he’s off at the end of the season. Having listened to him, I’m not thinking that way I’m thinking maybe there’s a possibility."
Salah, 32, has scored 214 goals and provided 92 assists in 352 games for Liverpool, winning eight trophies so far. He's scored three goals and contributed three assists in just three games so far this season.