If Liverpool’s sporting director is willing to sell Mohamed Salah during the summer transfer window in 2024, he should keep an eye on Real Sociedad attacker Takefusa Kubo.
There is no player in the earth more desired by the Saudi Pro League than the Egyptian winger.
He is the most famous Arab athlete in the world, and with his remarkable success with Liverpool and the wealth of Saudi clubs, the Reds should be able to demand more than £150 million.
If PSG were able to acquire €90 million (£86.3 million) for Neymar despite his horrible luck with injuries since moving to Paris, Liverpool will undoubtedly be able to demand more despite Salah’s contract expiring in 2025.
Al Hilal reportedly agreed to pay Neymar £129.4 million each year, raising the true worth of the deal into the stratosphere.
If Salah leaves before his contract expires, which would be far worse than we can think, they’ll need to find the next great young attacker to replace him.
Could Liverpool recruit Takefusa Kobe as Salah’s replacement?
The 22-year-old Japan international, like Salah, is left-footed, but his dribbling style is possibly even more Lionel Messi-like than the Liverpool forward’s.
Kubo, like the great Argentine striker, is adept at moving the ball and shooting with little to no backlift. He simply needs half a yard to put the goalkeeper to the test.
With only 22 years old, the sky is the limit. He had nine goals and nine assists in La Liga last season after permanently joining Real Sociedad from Real Madrid.
When he returned to face his former team on the weekend, he showed them why he’s such a dangerous player by passing the ball into the eye of the needle to assist Ander Barrenetxea.
While Los Blancos won the game 2-1, Kubo was a threat for the entire 90 minutes and may have put himself on the market this season.
Salah could leave Liverpool next summer, and while it’s tough to picture life without him, Liverpool must ensure that they don’t allow him depart without promptly replacing him.