Liverpool are reportedly ‘ready’ to launch a mammoth bid for Real Sociedad Takefusa Kubo, who is a confirmed target for the Reds as they search for a replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Salah, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and although Liverpool are keen to tie him down to an extension, the feeling is he will leave on a free transfer.

Liverpool have got off to a fantastic start under new manager Arne Slot and are currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table. They came from behind to beat Southampton on Sunday, with Salah scoring twice.

According to a Spanish media National, Liverpool are ‘willing to pay €60m (£49.9m, $62.8m)’ to sign Kuboalthough it is unclear whether this will happen in January or at the end of the season.

Kubo has a release clause in his contract with Sociedad set at €60m, so if Liverpool match that amount the LaLiga side will be powerless to stop him leaving.

The 23-year-old right-winger’s form has been inconsistent this season, but at his best he is unstoppable. He recently put in a great performance against Barcelona and it caught the attention of Liverpool.

The report claims Liverpool are “convinced” they should take a chance on Kubo, and that he is “the favorite to replace Salah”.

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Takefusa Kubo is a concrete Liverpool target – sources

We exclusively revealed in September that Kubo is on the shortlist of potential Salah replacements at Liverpoolalongside Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich and Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has since been heavily linked with a move to Anfield and he could be available for around £50million next year, according to reports.

Kubo is certainly on Liverpool’s radar. Slot is not convinced new signing Federico Chiesa has what it takes to replace Salah and the Japan international is seen as a longer-term successor.

Liverpool’s priorities for the January transfer window, however, are a new defensive midfielder and a new central defender, so they may well wait until next summer to make a move for Kubo.

Liverpool roundup: Zubimendi returns on / Fulham star linked

Meanwhile, sources revealed to TEAMtalk that Liverpool ‘almost certain’ to meet Martin Zubimendi’s €60m release clause Again in January.

The Real Sociedad midfielder rejected a move to Anfield last summer after the Reds agreed to meet his clause, but that did not deter the Merseyside giants.

However, Arsenal are also big admirers of Zubimendi and sources say there is a ‘high chance’ they could also make a move for him this winter.

We understand Liverpool have a ‘very good chance’ of signing Zubimendi in January, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will do everything he can to ‘hijack’ the deal.

Elsewhere, Liverpool have been linked with Fulham defender Joachim Andersen, despite only signing for the Cottagers last summer.

Liverpool plan to be in the market for a new centre-back in the new year and the Denmark international is on their radar, but they could face competition from Tottenham.

Fulham are reluctant to sell Andersen so soon after re-signing him, but reports suggest they would consider a big bid for the defender.

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