Liverpool reportedly preparing £55m bid for player likened to Lionel Messi

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Liverpool have been fairly quiet in the transfer window so far, with no signings as of yet and no player sales either.

The Reds have a fairly strong squad as it is, and chances are they’ll be looking to make a few additions as opposed to a major overhaul.

Liverpool have been linked with a number of defenders and midfielders to replace Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara, who have departed Anfield on free transfers.

But while Liverpool’s attacking department isn’t a priority, questions remain over Mohamed Salah’s long-term future and the need for a successor.

Salah suggested in May that he’s planning to stick around this season, with The Independent quoting him as saying he’ll “fight like hell” for more silverware in 2024/25.

However, his contract expires at the end of the season, so it remains to be seen whether he’ll remain at the club past then.

Indeed, it remains to be seen whether the Reds may even decide to cash in on Salah this summer amid Saudi links.

Now, according to a report from Japan, Liverpool have apparently readied an offer for a player who could well become Salah’s long-term replacement.

READ MORE: Liverpool make £25m offer for ‘special’ talent likened to Son Heung-min

Liverpool preparing bid for Takefusa Kubo

The player in question is Real Sociedad attacker and Japan international Takefusa Kubo.

According to Japanese outlet Sponichi, Liverpool have been eyeing the 23-year-old since the end of last season as a potential successor to Salah.

Sponichi say the Reds have made Kubo one of their “biggest targets this summer” and have prepared a €65million bid, as well as a €15million-a-year contract.

This works out at around £55million in terms of transfer fee and around £245,000-a-week in wages.

Takefusa Kubo likened to Lionel Messi

This is a big report with some large finances involved. If true, it means Liverpool are preparing to push the boat out to bring in Salah’s replacement.

That said, Kubo has certainly impressed in recent years for Real Sociedad and for Japan. At just 23 years of age, he already has 159 La Liga outings under his belt, plus 35 caps for his nation.

Kubo made 41 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad last term, registering seven goals – all in La Liga – and five assists. He also spent four years on Real Madrid’s books.

Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig tipped Kubo for a bright future back in 2019, likening his style of play to Lionel Messi and giving him a potential rating of 9 out of 10.

Liverpool have been known to pull some big transfer deals out of the hat in recent years, such as for Cody Gakpo, so it will be interesting to see whether more concrete speculation emerges on this front.