J-League side FC Tokyo are set to complete the signing of 13-year-old Japanese wonderkid Takefusa Kubo from Barcelona, local media reported on Thursday.

Kubo, a YouTube sensation compared to Argentine wizard Lionel Messi by Japanese media, has been training with Tokyo's youth side since April after Barcelona were sanctioned by FIFA for breaching rules on signing under-18 overseas players.

"We hope to see him lead the Japan team out at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," FC Tokyo president Naoki Ogane told reporters. "He has been brought up playing abroad and no doubt has a desire to return, so we would like to be supportive in the future."

The pint-sized Kubo, who has already received a call-up for Japan's under-15s, had also been linked with English clubs Arsenal and Manchester City before opting for Tokyo.