Real Madrid still have their eyes fixed on signing Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate and have even tried using Real Sociedad forward Takefusa Kubo to convince the Merseysiders.
Liverpool have been tirelessly working on transfers this summer but still have a few issues to iron out before they call it quits on the transfer market.
For one, Alexander Isak remains on strike on Tyneside and unless they are able to make the attackings required to fill out Eddie Howe’s squad depth, Liverpool will be unable to sign him.
There has been talk of Liverpool changing tack and moving for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo instead although that move remains little more than an option at this stage.
Another player Liverpool have been investigating is Takefusa Kubo but he doesn’t seem likely to make the switch to Anfield this summer.
How did Real Madrid use Kubo in their latest attempt to sweet talk Liverpool?
According to a report from Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid attempted to use Liverpool’s interest in Kubo to fascilitate a move for Ibrahima Konate to Madrid.
The report reads: “Real Madrid spoke with Real Sociedad after Liverpool showed some interest in the situation of Take Kubo a few weeks ago , a player whose rights Madrid hold 50% and for whom the Blue and Whites are hoping to get €60 million.
“In fact, the white club even considered giving up the €25-30 million they would earn from selling the Japanese player, this being half of the transfer fee, in exchange for keeping Ibrahima Konaté.
“The problem is that Liverpool did not see the situation clearly, since they greatly lowered their interest in Take Kubo and their requests for Konaté do not fall below €50 million, despite the fact that his contract with Liverpool ends next June, but this is mainly due to the fact that Arne Slot has asked his directors for an extra effort to prevent the Frenchman from leaving Anfield.”
Kubo “would be delighted” to join Liverpool “given the leap in quality”
While, for various reason, this deal does not seem a likely one for the Reds, Kubo would be willing to join Liverpool.
The report states that “Kubo was up for it [moving to Anfield]. This is something the Japanese footballer himself was aware of, and he would be delighted to leave San Sebastián for Liverpool, given the leap in quality it would bring to his career.”
Kubo has recently spoken about his future at Real Sociedad and says that although he has a new agent, there isn’t a transfer in the works.
The 24-year-old said: “At the moment I’m here, I’m not hearing any rumors. I have a new agent, but I’m still here, and for those who were worried, I stayed in Japan so I wouldn’t have to go to Zubieta and come back five days later.
“I’ve always said that if you want to move to another club, it has to be through the front door,” the Japanese player stated a few days ago.”
