Real Sociedad chief breaks silence on Takefusa Kubo transfer links to Liverpool

Real Sociedad's president has broken the club's silence on Takefusa Kubo amid reports the Japanese winger will sign for Liverpool this summer.

The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield ever since reports in his homeland claimed the Reds are willing to offer $71million (£55million/€65million) for his services . It was also added that Liverpool was lining up an eye-watering salary of more than $16.1m (£12.5m/€14.8m) per year for Kubo.

Since then, further reports from Japan claim that Liverpool is close to sealing a move for the Real Sociedad star, with negotiations said to be "in the final stages", while it's also been suggested that Kubo has been learning English ahead of his proposed transfer.

READ MORE: Liverpool target Takefusa Kubo almost stopped Luis Suarez signing for Barcelona

READ MORE: Takefusa Kubo already made feelings clear on Liverpool amid $71m transfer rumors

Now, following almost a week of relentless speculation, Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has come out and said that there are no negotiations for Kubo to leave this summer. Appearing before the Japanese media on Wednesday, with Sociedad ironically in Kubo's homeland for pre-season, Aperribay ruled out any departure for the player.

"There is no issue. There are no negotiations with any club," he said, as per Mundo Deportivo . "We're in the market, anything can happen, but Take is very happy at Real and he's going to continue." Aperribay added: "We love Kubo very much, let's hope he stays at Real forever".

Judging by the Spaniard's comments, it would appear that he is very confident of Kubo remaining at the club for the 2024-25 season, meaning such reports of his potential move to Liverpool this summer could be well off the mark.

It's also important to note that the initial rumors of Kubo's transfer to Liverpool came from his homeland, Japan, rather than England or Spain. However, Aperribay could be bluffing in order to take away any attention from a potential move, so Reds fan can still dream.

And it's certainly hard not to, given the hype around Sociedad's Japanese winger. Since moving to the Basque Country on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in 2022, Kubo has 16 goals and 14 assists in 85 appearances across all competitions for the club.

The youngster was instrumental in Sociedad's return to the Champions League for the 2023-24 campaign, their first appearance in the competition for nine years, and won their Player of the Season award for his performances that year.

Dubbed the "Japanese Messi", Kubo is much like current Liverpool star Mohamed Salah in that he operates as a left-footed right winger, making him the ideal long-term replacement for the Egyptian when he eventually decides to leave Anfield.