Liverpool Have ‘Been in Contact’ with £50m La Liga Forward – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Make Kubo Top Priority in Salah Succession Planning – Report

Liverpool’s long-term transfer planning continues to operate with precision, and the latest update suggests the club may have found their ideal successor to Mohamed Salah. According to TeamTalk’s Rudy Galetti, Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo is firmly on the Reds’ radar, and has been since January 2024. That’s no short-term flirtation. This is 14 months of active interest — and it’s intensifying.

Kubo, now 23, has become a standout player for the Basque side this season, recording seven goals and four assists in LaLiga. His performances have caught the eye not only of Liverpool, but also Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur. Still, sources insist that “Liverpool are the club to have shown the most concrete interest in Kubo to date.”

The structure of Liverpool’s approach has been methodical. The club has reportedly been in “contact with Kubo’s entourage for over a year, since January 2024, and have never stopped.” It’s a clear marker of Liverpool’s succession plan for Salah — a player who has defined their attacking play for the past seven years.

Kubo’s Contract and Sociedad’s Position

Kubo’s current contract with Real Sociedad includes a release clause of around €60m (£50m), which all interested clubs — including Liverpool — consider “excellent value for money.” His talent, youth, and ceiling for development make him one of the most intriguing wingers on the market this summer.

Photo: IMAGO

Sociedad’s potential failure to qualify for European competition may accelerate his exit. They currently sit 10th in LaLiga and are scrambling to bridge a nine-point gap to seventh-placed Real Betis. Even eighth might not be enough for Conference League football.

“Failure to qualify for Europe could force Sociedad to sell some of their best players, such as Kubo and confirmed Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi,” Galetti reports.

Liverpool will no doubt be watching Sociedad’s final run-in closely. The context here matters — a club without European revenue may be more inclined to do business, especially if release clauses are already in play.

Salah Future Dictates Kubo Deal

While Liverpool’s interest in Kubo is clear and consistent, the key domino is still Mo Salah. The Egyptian winger’s future remains uncertain, with links to Saudi Arabia refusing to go away and his contract situation still unresolved.

Per the TeamTalk report, “Salah’s future will play a fundamental role in whether Liverpool move for Kubo, but if Salah does depart Anfield, he is the NUMBER ONE target to replace him.”

That clarity is vital. Liverpool aren’t scrambling — they’re prepared. And Kubo fits the profile: explosive, creative, tactically aware, and already playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues. The Japan international also produced “one assist in the second leg” of Sociedad’s 5-4 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final — underlining his quality against elite opposition.

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Race Heats Up

The race for Kubo’s signature appears wide open. Bayern and Spurs may pose serious competition, but Liverpool’s 14-month head start and structural planning give them an edge. That advantage, however, could evaporate if they wait too long.

What’s more, Kubo’s previous experience in Spain — including time with Real Madrid — has sharpened his tactical IQ. He’s the kind of intelligent winger Arne Slot could shape further, not just replace Salah, but offer something different.

The €60m release clause is more than palatable in today’s market, especially for a club that’s already benefited from investing early in future stars — think of the likes of Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo. Add Kubo into that attacking mix, and Liverpool are building for the next era.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this Kubo development is fascinating. The club’s ability to track and court a player for over a year is textbook elite planning — something we’ve come to associate with the post-Edwards recruitment model. Whether under Klopp or now Slot, the approach remains focused, value-driven, and always with one eye on what’s next.

What’s most exciting is the type of player Kubo represents. He’s not a carbon copy of Salah — few are — but he brings flair, work rate, and positional fluidity. For fans, this isn’t just about replacing an icon; it’s about evolving the attack. Kubo could thrive under Slot’s high-pressing, fluid system, offering something different but equally devastating.

There’s also a sense that this deal makes sense financially. £50m for a 23-year-old international with big-game experience? In today’s inflated market, that feels like a rare bargain — particularly when compared to the fees floated for players with half the CV.

There’s no doubt — losing Salah would be a seismic moment. But if Liverpool act decisively, and Kubo is indeed the chosen one, fans could feel reassured that the next chapter is already being written.