Manchester City have reportedly included Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo on their transfer shortlist.
Kubo, 22, who joined Sociedad from Real Madrid 18 months ago, is enjoying an excellent campaign. Registering a goal or an assist every other game for Imanol Alguacil’s side, the Japan international has become a hugely important player in his team’s quest for European qualification.
However, with such impressive performances inevitably bringing high-profile, and unwanted, attention, Sociedad, according to Fichajes, would be wise to prepare for some summer approaches.
Pep Guardiola is believed to hold a firm interest in the 22-year-old winger but signing him, even with City’s vast wealth, could prove difficult.
And that is because the player’s former club Real Madrid inserted a buy-back option into his contract when he signed for their domestic rivals in 2022.
Also, and perhaps most interestingly, although the Kawasaki-born attacker is available for £51 million (€60 million), Los Blancos have a first-refusal option to re-sign him for just half that figure, and that will undoubtedly put them front of the queue come the end of the season.