Takefusa Kubo set for Barcelona return

Japanese teenage sensation Takefusa Kubo is reportedly set to return to Barcelona.

Kubo joined Barcelona academy as a youngster but a transfer ban prohibiting the Catalan giants from signing underage players saw his Barcelona dream disappear.

Currently at FC Tokyo, Kubo will turn 18 in June which means he will no longer be subject to a FIFA sanction and the Spanish media outlets report the Japanese could be on his way back to Barcelona.

Mundo Deportivo claims Kubo has already agreed terms with Barcelona and will be introduced to the club’s reserve team for the 2019/20 season.

Barcelona first took notice of Takefusa Kubo when he was nine. At the time, he was invited to the Barcelona youth academy and has ever since been referred to as the ‘Japanese Messi’.

He spent three seasons with Barcelona before returning to his homeland. Kubo is a versatile midfielder who is best deployed in a more advanced role upfront or as a secondary striker.