Liverpool transfer news as $33m 'bid imminent' and Takefusa Kubo salary 'offer' emerges

Liverpool is yet to make a signing this summer with under four weeks to go until Arne Slot kicks off his new era away at Ipswich Town. But as the Premier League's opening weekend edges closer, the rumor mill continues to swirl.

Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo is the latest name to grab the headlines, with the Japanese winger, formerly of Barcelona and Real Madrid , said to be on the Reds' radar. It remains to be seen whether or not he is high on the agenda for Liverpool but a new claim has emerged as the speculation gathers pace.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. A center-back and a forward would be our priorities this summer — and a player for each of those positions is being linked.

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Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP)

According to the Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha , Liverpool has not only made Sporting CP center-back Goncalo Inacio its "priority" in the transfer market this summer, it is also preparing an offer. It suggests that the Reds are about to table a bid worth $33m (£25m/€30m) for the 22-year-old. That is half of what his release clause stands at but Sporting is supposedly willing to compromise.

Inacio has long been linked with a Premier League move, with Liverpool and Manchester United his most-mentioned potential destinations. Erik ten Hag, however, has already signed Leny Yoro this summer and now needs to prioritize positions elsewhere.

Liverpool.com says: Inacio looks like a decent player but he would potentially be a very expensive addition at the back considering he is left-footed and therefore can only play on the same side as Virgil van Dijk . For the right fee, he could be a decent option, but Liverpool has looked at him before and decided against a move.

Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)

The Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex is reporting that as well as "preparing" an offer of around $71m (£55m/€65m) for the Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo , the Reds are also willing to offer an eye-watering salary to get a deal over the line. It seems like a very unlikely claim.

The report claims that a salary of around $310k (£240k/€285k) will be placed on the table for Kubo, though that seems more than a little far-fetched. That would mean the 23-year-old coming in on more than everyone at Liverpool aside from Mohamed Salah , which would be an uncharacteristic move from the Reds, to say the least.

Liverpool.com says: Kubo is a good player with plenty of talent but he didn't score that many goals last season. He would need a big uptick in that department to get close to being what Liverpool needs. As for his supposed salary, that simply isn't realistic.