Liverpool transfers: Endo reveals Takefusa Kubo could replace Salah

Wataru Endo has revealed that he thinks Takefusa Kubo could join Liverpool as a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah. 

Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex reported a few days ago that negotiations between Liverpool, Kubo and his club Real Sociedad were in the final stages ahead of a potential €65 million move. 

The Reds, it was reported, were prepared to pay over the €60m release clause in the winger’s contract and to make the 23-year-old the highest-earning Japanese player of all time. 

The contract offer would equate to around £240,000 per week, eclipsing EVERY Liverpool player’s pay packet other than Salah. 

The report was later described as ‘premature’ by the Mail’s Lewis Steele, but Reds’ midfielder Endo has endorsed his countryman for a role at Anfield as Salah’s successor. 

The 31-year-old was asked which of his Japan teammates he would like to see at Liverpool by ABEMA Sports Time back in June and the answer was revealed last week.  

Endo: I think Kubo could replace Salah

“Maybe Kubo,” he said. "The search for a replacement for Mohamed Salah has begun, so this is becoming a real area for Liverpool to strengthen.

"I think the player who can replace him, in the national team, would be Kubo."

Liverpool’s interest in Kubo goes back a long way with reports in January claiming that contact had been made over a potential transfer. 

No deal materialised but the Reds were said to be considering activating his release clause ahead of the summer. 

Kubo has rebuffed repeated efforts to move to Al-Nassr, where he would pocket €17 million per year and has been learning English ahead of a potential Premier League move. 

Real Madrid, who sold Kubo to Real Sociedad in 2022, would be due 50 percent of the transfer fee and have also got first refusal on the wing star. 

He renewed his deal in February and it now extends to 2029, meaning Real Sociedad are well entitled to earn the release clause in his contract. 

Kubo: The Japanese Messi

Last season he scored seven goals and provided five assists in 41 games overall having helped his club back to the Champions League the season before. 

He is a left-footed winger who primarily plays off the right and has been described previously as “the Japanese Messi”. 

He spent time with Barcelona as a youth player before moving to FC Tokyo and on to Real Madrid. 

Kubo has had productive loan spells at Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe before settling on a permanent basis with Real Sociedad. 

Liverpool legend Salah is out of contract in 2025 and there has been so far no breakthrough regarding a new deal for the 32-year-old.