Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Takefusa Kubo next summer and are willing to pay what’s necessary.
According to Mundo Deportivo Gipuzkoa via Sport Witness, Takegusa Kubo has emerged as a target for Manchester United ahead of next summer. The Red Devils are currently intent on replacing Antony with the Japanese international and are willing to offer him a ‘juicy’ deal in the process.
By a ‘juicy’ deal, the report claims Manchester United could improve Takefusa Kubo’s current salary by six or seven times. Either it’s a massive wage package, or the Japanese international earns too little at Real Sociedad, where he’s reportedly happy at the moment.
Kubo had attracted payment of interest from top clubs following his stellar start to the season. Teams are constantly monitoring his situation ahead of the January window, but realistically believe the Japanese international could become available next summer.
A €60 million release clause protects Real Sociedad, and they will want that paid in full to sell the Japanese international. Manchester City have held an interest in the winger as they continue to search for a viable name to replace Riyad Mahrez, who departed during the summer.
Real Madrid are the biggest threat to any of the interested clubs owing to a buy-back clause they have in Kjubo’s contract. Florentino Perez likes the winger and could push for a move next summer if conditions are right.
Sociedad would hope he joins some other club that can pay the €60 million-rated La Liga winger’s release clause. Now, Manchester United might have come at the right time with an interest, with the report stating they are keen on a summer move for the Japanese forward.
The Red Devils are considering paying his release clause and view Kubo as a viable replacement for their misfiring attacker, Antony. The Brazilian has failed to register a goal or an assist since the current season began, which has caused concerns within the coaching team at Manchester United.
They paid a massive sum to sign him from Ajax and now may have to spend another big chunk replacing him. In short, Antony has time until the summer to convince Ten Hag and the club that he’s worth the money invested in him.
Kubo, for his part, is a more dynamic option for Manchester United to have in place of Antony. Whether he remains interested in a switch to Old Trafford despite claims of a ‘juicy’ contract on the table remains the question.
