Mbappe paves the way for Liverpool to sign PERFECT Salah replacement

Cameron Smith

• 23 Feb 2024 15:18 CST
• 3 min read

Liverpool have been handed a surprise boost in their pursuit of Japan forward Takefusa Kubo, despite the fact he recently signed a new contract at Real Sociedad.

The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a fresh deal that runs until 2029 last week, but Liverpool remain interested in signing him this summer.

Furthermore, the Reds have reportedly been informed that Kubo’s €60 million release clause is still active in his new contract. As a result, he remains an attainable target for 2024.

While Mohamed Salah is leaning towards signing a new deal at Anfield, the Liverpool forward is still being pursued by the Saudi Pro League, who are keen on continuing to poach some of the world’s best footballers from the European game.

Salah is their number one target, while Tottenham Hotspur forward Heung-min Son is also wanted. FootballTransfers understand that Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne will not be moving to Saudi Arabia, however, despite rumoured interest from the Middle East.

Although Liverpool are hopeful that Salah will extend his stay at the club, they have begun planning for his potential exit, with Kubo high on their list of potential replacements.

Wolves’ Pedro Neto and PSV’s Johan Bakayoko are also being looked at as possible Salah successors.

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central (via TEAMtalk), Real Madrid will not stand in Liverpool’s way if the Reds pursue a move for Kubo. Los Blancos have a 50% sell-on fee and will earn €30m if any club activates his €60m release clause.

Alternatively, they are able to re-sign him for just €30m if they wish. However, due to the potential arrival of Kylian Mbappe, and Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, Real Madrid are extremely unlikely to bring Kubo back to the club, paving the way for Liverpool to sign him.

Takefusa Kubo: Liverpool’s perfect Mohamed Salah replacement?

Although Kubo doesn’t have the same goal-scoring instincts as Salah, Liverpool may need to restructure their attack if the Egyptian leaves.

The Japan international is more of a dribbler than a goal-scorer, but his attributes may dovetail nicely with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, who could replicate Salah’s goals.

Luis Diaz hasn’t been the same since returning from injury last year and altering their attack to have a dribbling creator on the right flank (Kubo) and an inside goal-scoring forward on the left (Jota) could work perfectly.

It wouldn’t mirror Liverpool’s current system with Salah, but a Jota-Nunez-Kubo front three would be extremely exciting and could help the Reds cope in a post-Jurgen Klopp and Salah era.