Celtic have history when it comes to leaving Barcelona red-faced.
And, eight years after a soaring Victor Wanyama header sent Parkhead into raptures during one of the greatest European nights in their history, the Hoops are competing to sign a player who slipped agonisingly through the net of the five-time European champions.
Kubo was merely a fresh-faced teenager when Barca were forced to let him go in 2015, after falling foul of FIFA regulations.
Four years later, this magical wing wizard returned to Spain. But not with Barca. Instead, he put pen to paper with arch rivals Real Madrid.
Talk about rubbing salt into the wounds.
And after leaving full-backs all over Spain dizzed and dazed during a marvellous loan spell at Real Mallorca, those long-standing comparisons with a certain Lionel Messi are being justified on a weekly basis.
“Yes, this is one of the biggest mistakes the club has made in the last decade,” former Barcelona scout Joan Vila tells PrensaLibreOnline.
“We are going to regret letting Kubo escape and join Real on a silver platter.
“He is a very disciplined athlete, however that does not stop him from being creative. He has an enormous capacity for improvisation and genius, without giving up discipline.”
Barcelona fans were forced to watch on in awe as Kubo displayed that penchant for ‘genius’ during a La Liga clash with Mallorca earlier in June.
In fact, there was only one player on the pitch superior to the Japan international went the two sides went head to head – but with Messi now 33, Barca will soon have to prepare for life without their evergreen captain.
According to AS, Celtic are one of ten clubs looking to sign Kubo on loan for the 2020/21 season.
And if The Hoops can set another youngster on the pathway to greatness, Barcelona’s one-that-got-away could soon become Real Madrid’s answer to a six-time Ballon D’Or winner.
Many a talented youngster has been crushed by the weight of expectation that comes with the ‘new Messi’ tag. But, as Vila says, Kubo is something a little different.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
