According to a report from The Sun, Manchester United have set their sights on former Real Madrid prodigy Takefusa Kubo as a potential replacement for winger Antony. Erik ten Hag brought Antony, 22, to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 for a substantial fee of £85.5 million but the former-Ajax man has yet to register a goal this season.
Kubo’s Impressive Run Of Form For Real Sociedad
Takefusa Kubo, aged 22 and a Japan international, spent four years in Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy before securing a move to Real Madrid in 2019. However, he didn’t feature for Los Blancos’ first team, as they opted to loan him out to Mallorca, Villarreal, and Getafe.
Before the previous season commenced, Kubo permanently left the Bernabeu when Real Sociedad acquired him for £5.5 million. His time with Sociedad has been remarkable, amassing 15 goals and 13 assists in 67 games. In the current season the Japanese winger has netted six goals and created three assists over 22 appearances across all competitions. He has been averaging 1,9 shots, 1.9 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game in La Liga showcasing his attacking prowess down the right flank. He has also been efficient while distributing the ball in the final third after completing 80.6% of his attempted passes in the Spanish top flight (stats via whoscored).
His exceptional performances caught Napoli’s attention, leading them to offer £26 million in the summer, but Sociedad turned down the bid. Kubo’s current contract with the Spanish outfit lasts until the summer of 2027. Hence, United would have to make a substantial offer in order to convince the La Liga side to sell him in the January transfer market.
Is the Decision by the Manchester United Manager to Consider Replacing Antony with Takefusa Kubo the Right Move?
Takefusa Kubo, the 22-year-old Japan international, has been on the radar of various European clubs following his impressive performances. Kubo’s journey through Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy and subsequent move to Real Madrid in 2019 marked him as a prodigious talent.
Manchester United’s contemplation of replacing Antony with Kubo raises questions and excitement among fans. While Antony has shown promise , he has yet to prove his hefty price tag which got him to Old Trafford. On the other hand, Kubo’s versatility, technical skills, and burgeoning talent position him as a viable option for the Red Devils.
Kubo’s proficiency in creating scoring opportunities and his ability to adapt to different positions across the front line could inject a new dimension into United’s attack. His agility, vision, and goal-scoring prowess could potentially address some of the team’s creative needs.
However, this potential switch might also come with its own set of challenges. Adjusting to the Premier League’s pace and physicality can be demanding for any player, especially one transitioning from LaLiga. Additionally, there’s the aspect of team chemistry and integration, which plays a pivotal role in a player’s success within a new squad.
