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Barcelona may have found the next Takefusa Kubo

By Chiranjib Ghosh

KASHIMA, JAPAN - JULY 06: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Hiroki Abe of Kashima Antlers in action during the J.League J1 match between Kashima Antlers and Jubilo Iwata at Kashima Soccer Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
KASHIMA, JAPAN - JULY 06: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Hiroki Abe of Kashima Antlers in action during the J.League J1 match between Kashima Antlers and Jubilo Iwata at Kashima Soccer Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona recently let Real Madrid take away Takefusa Kubo

Takefusa Kubo was identified as one of the best young players in the world by Barcelona scouts and brought to La Masia before he decided to return to Japan. Earlier this summer, he set his sights on a return to Europe and offered himself to his former club.

But there was a caveat. The 18-year old Japan youth international was demanding a huge salary. Since it is against club policy to award lucrative contracts to youngsters, Barça refused to take him back. As a result, Real Madrid accepted his demands and signed him.

But Barça may have already found an alternative to Kubo, from the same country. It seems that Barcelona B’s next high-profile signing will be Kashima Antlers left winger Hiroki Abe, who was recently awarded the J1 League young player of the year award.

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The 20-year old recently-capped Japan international broke into the Kashima first-team last season, despite not having the most prolific debut season. Abe made 24 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.

Abe has already bidden farewell to his boyhood club as Barça close in on his signing. The youngster is an explosive talent, and will rejuvenate a youth system which has been low on attacking firepower for a long time.

Last season, emerging star Abel Ruiz suffered from multiple injuries while most other forwards were on loan. In January, Gabriel Novaes was brought in from São Paulo, but he is yet to hit the ground running. In context of this, Abe is an excellent addition.

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While prospects of being called up to the first-team squad in the near future are dim, Hiroki Abe can forge a great career with La Masia providing the platform.

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