Arne Slot is closing in on Liverpool’s first transfer, with agents arriving for talks

Liverpool are reportedly closing in on signing Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, with the Japan international set to become Arne Slot’s first signing.

Liverpool are entering a new era under Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager after almost nine years in charge, and reports in Japan claim Kubo is close to completing a big-money move to Anfield.

According to Japanese publication Sponichi, the deal is “in the final stages” after the player’s representatives traveled to England. Liverpool are set to pay around £55m for Kubo, with the report claiming he has been earmarked as Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor.

Salah has entered the final year of his contract, alongside Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Football in the mirror understands Liverpool have ruled out selling him this summer, even if they do not sign a new contract.

“In terms of contractual situations, I don’t think it would be right to talk about them,” Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes said earlier this month.These are private matters between the club and the players.

“The only concern Arne and I have about the situation is the total commitment of the players to the cause next season and we are absolutely convinced that this will be the case.” Kubo, meanwhile, is set to link up with his international teammate Wataru Endo at Anfield.

The 23-year-old had 12 goals in 41 appearances for Sociedad last season as they finished sixth in LaLiga and qualified for the Europa League. And Zinedine Zidane is a fan of Kubo, having hailed his performances during a loan spell at Mallorca while on the books at Real Madrid.

“I think he’s having a good season,” Zidane said of Kubo in 2019. “He’s playing a lot and that’s what we all wanted. He’s a very interesting player, for the present and the future. I’m happy he’s doing well.

“Of course, if he had to stay at home tomorrow, then it would be better. But, I wish him the best and urge him to continue like this. His future, however, we will not decide until the summer. That is something for later. “

If Kubo completes a move to Anfield, he will become the seventh Japanese player to play in the Premier League next season alongside Endo, Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, Crystal Palace new signing Daichi Kamada and the duo Southampton’s Yukinari Sugawara and Renato Takaoka.

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