Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to study Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo seven times this season, indicating that they have been closely monitoring his progress.

The 22-year-old has had an interesting career thus far, playing for FC Tokyo in Japan after spending time in Barcelona’s junior system.

Even though he was still a teenager when Real Madrid sent him back to Europe, Kubo made a reputation for himself on loan with Mallorca, Villarreal, and Getafe before being permanently signed by Real Sociedad in 2022.

Real Sociedad are now in sixth place in La Liga, and the Japan international is having a great season, scoring six goals so far. He scored nine goals in the league last year.

According to the Sun, scouts from Manchester United have reportedly watched Kubo, a Japanese standout, “at least seven times” this season.

Although Real Sociedad only paid about £5.5 million for the winger, they are not ready to part with him for a bargain because he is contracted until 2027 and because they turned down a deal of about £26 million from Napoli during the summer.

The Sun, however, claims that Kubo might be up for grabs next year for about £43 million—a steаl given the current state of the market.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca, Kubo discussed his relationship with Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil, describing him as someone who “always wants me to give more, to stand out more, to give my best in training and in games” because Alguacil wants him to excel.

A coach who doesn’t criticize his players often isn’t holding them to a higher standard, so it’s encouraging that he always finds fault with me. If the players want to play on the weekend and do well for the squad and coach, Imanol wants them to strive for a spot on the field.