Arne Slot on the verge of securing first transfer deal for Liverpool as agents meet for negotiations…

Liverpool are on the verge of finalizing their first transfer of the summer as agents have arrived for discussions.

Arne Slot making progress on first Liverpool signing with agents in attendance for discussions.

The Reds are reportedly close to securing a deal for Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad, who is expected to be a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Arne Slot’s tenure as manager is set to kick off with the signing of the Japanese international, marking a new chapter for the club.

Reports from Japan suggest that Kubo is nearing a significant move to Anfield.

Sponichi, a Japanese outlet, reported that the deal is in its final stages after the player’s representatives traveled to England.

Liverpool is expected to pay around £55million for Kubo, as he has been selected as Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor, according to the report.

Salah, along with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, has entered the final year of his contract.

However, Mirror Football has learned that Liverpool has no intention of selling him this summer, even if he does not sign a new deal.

Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, stated earlier this month, “On contractual situations, I don’t think it would be fair for me to talk about these. These are private matters between club and players.”

Kubo, on the other hand, is expected to join his national teammate Wataru Endo at Anfield. The 23-year-old contributed to 12 goals in 41 matches for Sociedad last season, helping them secure a sixth-place finish in LaLiga and qualify for the Europa League.

Zinedine Zidane has expressed his admiration for Kubo, praising his performances during a loan stint at Mallorca while he was with Real Madrid.

“I believe he’s having a strong season,” Zidane commented on Kubo in 2019. “He’s getting plenty of playing time, which is what we all wanted. He’s a very promising player, both for the present and the future. I’m pleased to see him thriving.”

“Naturally, it would be preferable if he were to remain at home tomorrow. However, I extend my best wishes to him and encourage him to persist in this manner.”

“As for his future, we will not make a decision until the summer. That is a matter for another time.”

If Kubo finalizes a transfer to Anfield, he will join the ranks of the seventh Japanese player set to participate in the Premier League next season.

This group includes Endo, Kaoru Mitoma from Brighton, Takehiro Tomiyasu from Arsenal, Daichi Kamada from Crystal Palace, and Yukinari Sugawara and Renato Takaoka from Southampton.