Chelsea make decision on summer transfer move for Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale

Liverpool has closed rumours that Takefusa Kubo might be about to go to Anfield this summer.

Reports coming out of Japan indicated Kubo had been named as a potential long-term successor to Mohamed Salah. The Reds are searching for attacking reinforcements to help start the Arne Slot era.

Kubo had a great domestic campaign with Real Sociedad last year, scoring seven goals and four assists in La Liga, and he was also instrumental as the team advanced to the Champions League last-16 stage.

Japanese outlet Sponichi said Kubo’s representatives were “in the final stages” of negotiations with Liverpool and that the Merseyside giants were prepared to set off the winger’s €60million (£50m) release clause at Sociedad.

But top insiders at both Liverpool and Sociedad have discounted the latest speculations about Kubo, according to James Pearce, senior writer for The Athletic.

Said to have flown to his home Japan to join his Sociedad team-mates, the 23-year-old attacker is likely to participate in their friendly with Gamba Osaka in Suita on Thursday.

Kubo joined Sociedad from Real Madrid in 2022 and still has five years left on his present contract in San Sebastian.

For the benefit of his own career, club great David Seaman advised Ramsdale earlier this month to look for an exit route out of the Emirates.

Aaron is too excellent to be a number two, I have always said. He plays rather brilliantly. He has to be playing. Wherever that is, I’m not sure, Seaman told The Daily Star.

“It’s an unusual circumstance.” You would ideally want him to stay since that would be fantastic for the club.

He should be moving for his career. And that includes England since he will keep descending the pecking order with them if he is not playing.

Speaking with talkSPORT, Ramsdale, who has also been connected to Newcastle, said it was a “release” to be with England at the European Championship in Germany following an exceptionally “tough” 12 months at club level.

Last month he added, “No footballer wants to not play; I have had a difficult year personally not playing and never want to do that again.”

It was difficult as well. But I have my release right now; I am now here; I have the highest honour and the biggest badge on my chest.