Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has tipped international teammate Takefusa Kubo to be the club’s long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Salah, 32, has just one year left on his contract at Anfield and has been touted for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia should he fail to agree new terms with the Reds.
One such player rumoured to be of interest is Kubo, the Real Sociedad winger who has impressed in two seasons with the Spanish team having been labelled a prodigy when emerging out of Japan and signing for Real Madrid as a teenager.
Japanese channel ABEMA Sports Time asked Endo if there’s an international teammate he’d like to join him at Liverpool, to which he replied: “Maybe Kubo.
“They’re looking for a replacement for Mo Salah, so that’s probably going to be a real area for Liverpool to strengthen in the future.
“And if they think about who can replace him, I think it’ll be Kubo.”
Reports in Japan claim an agreement to sign 23-year-old Kubo for £50million has been reached but English media have since quelled that speculation, although Liverpool are still said to be interested.
Liverpool have flown out to the United States to ramp up their pre-season preparations and Arne Slot is still yet to make his first signing as manager.
The Dutchman is reportedly determined to fully assess the playing squad already at his disposal before making changes, having been linked with Atalanta midfielder Ederson and Celtic’s Matt O’Riley.
