How Real Madrid can avoid repeating Odegaard transfer mistake with Kubo bargain

Suraj Radia

4 Nov 2023 13:36 CDT
4 min read

Takefusa Kubo, Real Sociedad — © ProShots

Succeeding at Real Madrid is a tough ask for any player, so perhaps it wasn’t a surprise when Takefusa Kubo was quietly sold last summer after failing to prove his worth to Los Blancos.

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Real thought they had pulled off a shrewd signing when they brought Kubo to Madrid in 2019 as an 18-year-old, with the youngster having previously been on the books of rivals Barcelona as an academy prospect.

But Kubo failed to make a single appearance for Real across three years, instead being loaned out four times across La Liga in the hopes of fulfilling his potential as one of Japan’s brightest talents.

WANTED: Manchester United face competition in race for Kubo

His time at Villarreal, Getafe and Mallorca (twice) proved uninspiring and Kubo admitted he felt his €6 million move to Real Sociedad last summer was his last chance to prove himself in Europe, although Real retain an intriguing clause over a future transfer.

And it appears the penny has finally dropped for the wonderkid, with his performances for Soecidad winning him the club’s player of the season award last year and taking them to the Champions League.

The 22-year-old has continued to take his game to new levels this season and will face off against Barcelona this weekend hoping to show his former side of what they missed out on, while potentially reminding Real what they could still recapture for the right price.

Real Madrid wary of Odegaard 2.0

Kubo grabbed nine goals and four assists for Sociedad last season, featuring predominantly on the right flank cutting inside on his left foot – a specialist role which could see him coveted by teams in the future.

This season he has five goals and two assists in nine La Liga starts, while also offering defensive stability and work rate for an impressive Sociedad side.

Kubo’s development at Sociedad mirrors players such as Martin Odegaard, who also joined Real as a teenager to much hype, only to struggle and be sold to the San Sebastian side, where he went on to make his name and earn a big money move to Arsenal.

GIANTS: Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world, claims Odegaard

Real sold Kubo with clause that would reportedly entitle them to 50% of any future sale, with the Japanese international believed to have a release clause of €60m at Sociedad, meaning a return to Madrid could be possible for just €30m.

Xavi: "Kubo's time at La Masia? I wasn't at the club at the time, I don't know what happened. But we will come across these situations, players that we don't think have the level for Barça and then they explode outside. But I don't know exactly what happened with him." pic.twitter.com/7NNunF8zQl
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 3, 2023

Despite their world class midfield, Real may perhaps have some regrets over the way Odegaard’s career has panned out, seeing as he could have easily been excelling in the white of Los Blancos with a little more patience.

Consequently, they may be watching Kubo with curiousity, knowing the potential they have with a below-value clause and the way he has matured into a consistent performer out of the spotlight.

For Kubo, he has refused to entertain reports over his future or a return to Real and is grateful for his development at Sociedad but his blossoming form could help him return to one of Europe’s elite clubs next summer.