Manchester United 'identify Takefusa Kubo as Antony replacement'

Manchester United reportedly view Real Sociedad attacker Takefusa Kubo as a possible replacement for Antony, with the Red Devils lining up a January approach for the Japan international.

Kubo's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, with Barcelona and Real Madrid, who both had him with them earlier in this career, said to be keen on his signature.

A recent report also claimed that Man United were admirers of the 22-year-old, who has scored six goals and registered four assists in 23 appearances for Real Sociedad this season.

According to The Sun, Erik ten Hag's side view him as a possible replacement for Antony, with the Brazilian still struggling to make his mark during the 2023-24 campaign.

Antony is yet to contribute a goal or an assist in 18 appearances for the 20-time English champions this season, but he has started the team's last three Premier League matches.

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The 23-year-old is again in line to start against West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, but there is uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at the club.

Man United would allegedly be willing to allow Antony to move to Real Sociedad on loan if it meant that they were able to sign Kubo ahead of a number of other interested clubs.

Ten Hag's side are said to have scouted Kubo on at least seven occasions during the 2023-24 campaign, and favourable reports have been returned.

The attacker's contract at Real Sociedad is said to have a release clause of €60m (£52m), but it is understood that an offer of slightly under that would also be accepted by his Basque club.

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Kubo managed nine goals and nine assists in 44 appearances for Real Sociedad in all competitions last season, and he featured against Man United in the Europa League in 2022-23.

The attacker, who mainly operates on the right, has scored 15 goals and registered 13 assists in 67 appearances for his current side in all competitions.

Kubo represented Barcelona's academy between 2011 and 2015, but the La Liga club were later found to have violated FIFA's international transfer policy, which led to him returning to Japan with FC Tokyo.

The forward returned to Europe with Real Madrid in 2019, but he failed to make the breakthrough at Bernabeu, moving to Real Sociedad permanently last year after loan spells with Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe.

Man United have struggled from an attacking sense this season, with the team's leading goalscorer from last season, Marcus Rashford, only netting twice in 2023-24.