'Japanese Lionel Messi' Looking For New Club, Says Coach

Real Madrid loanee Takefusa Kubo is hoping to find a club that would hand him more pitch time.

After only starting in four matches for Villarreal this season, Kubo has gone frustrated and is opting to depart his loaning club, according to coach Unai Emery.

“I asked [Takefusa] Kubo if he wanted to stay or leave, and he told me that he is looking for a way out,” the Villarreal coach said on Saturday. “Take’s behavior is good, he has helped us and he must continue to grow as a player, however, he told me he wants to leave in order to find more minutes elsewhere and that’s why he wasn’t in the matchday squad today.”

The winger who has been dubbed “Japanese Lionel Messi” has fallen down the pecking order with Villarreal, having left out at the club’s 1-1 draw against Athletic Club last month and in the recent 2-1 win over Levanta on Saturday.

In another recent press conference, Emery pointed out that his decision to bench Kubo was just right as all the players in Villarreal have to earn their minutes by consistently performing at their best.

"We are not here to give a player 10 games in a row if he doesn’t perform," Emery told reporters last month."[Kubo] He is given a match and he must earn more. It is valid for the young players and for everyone. There is a requirement here and that is to win."

Getafe is among the clubs keen to acquire Kubo this season and Real Madrid is now “in the process” of completing the youngster’s loan transfer, Spanish outlet AS reported, citing unnamed sources.

Prior to Kubo’s reported loan move to Getafe, club president Angel Torres confirmed the player’s interest to suit up for them.

“Kubo wants to come to Getafe,” Torres told Onda Cero on Tuesday. “Yes, another reinforcement could be Carles Alena, but we are not going to go crazy.”

Despite the apparent desire to play for a new loaning club, Kubo’s long-term goal is to make his mark under his parent club Real Madrid.

"My dream has always been to become one of the best players and I'll not stop working to achieve that," Kubo said in July. "I've always said that my aim was to play for Real Madrid. That is what I'm working towards and I'm doing the best I can. I like being able to play football in one of the best leagues in the world."