Liverpool is reportedly interested in signing Japan forward Takefusa Kubo, with rumors in the player’s home country indicating that a deal for the 23-year-old winger is nearing completion.

Over the weekend, the Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex stated that Liverpool was “preparing” an offer, and that the Reds are reportedly willing to provide an exorbitant salary to complete the transaction. According to the article, a weekly pay of roughly $310k (£240k/€285k) has been proposed, which appears to be a little unrealistic.

According to AS, Real Madrid might get up to $29 million (£23 million/€27 million) as a result of a sell-on provision included in the agreement that saw him leave Los Blancos for Real Sociedad. According to the Spanish outlet, Kubo’s release clause is set at $65 million (£51 million/€60 million), but Real Madrid would receive nearly half of that amount. 

The La Liga major controls 50% of the player’s rights beyond $6.5 million (£5.0 million/€6.0 million), leaving Real Madrid with approximately $29 million. That would only be the sum if the entire release clause was paid.

Kubo made 41 appearances for Real Sociedad last season. The Japanese international scored seven goals and assisted five others during that period, but his underlying statistics indicate that he may improve with stronger players surrounding him.

Kubo spent three years on the books of Real Madrid and was talked up by then-manager Zinedine Zidane during his excellent loan spell at Mallorca. Speaking ahead of Los Blancos’ clash with Mallorca in 2019, the French boss said: “I think he’s having a good season.”

“He’s playing a lot and that’s what we all wanted,” Zidane continued. “He is a very interesting player, for the present and the future. I’m happy he’s doing well. Of course, if he were to stay at home tomorrow then that’d be better. But, I wish him the best and urge him to continue like this. His future, though, we won’t decide until the summer. That’s something for later.”