Hull City interested in Japan winger Nakamura

Nakamura has scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for Japan, including six in his first six international matches. [Getty Images] Hull City have expressed an interest in signing Stade de Reims winger Keito Nakamura. The Japan international, 26, started all four of his country's games at the World Cup and is valued at £21.5m by French second-tier side Reims. However, the asking price has deterred potential suitors, with Nakamura eager to move to the Premier League after attracting interest from Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham in the past. Hull have signed 11 players this summer, including fellow Japan international Hidemasa Morita, spending an estimated £76m on their return to the Premier League this season. Nakamura is keen to leave France having spent last season in the second tier, despite interest last summer from clubs such as Spain's Villarreal and Turkish giants Besiktas, with offers reaching up to £15.5m. The versatile forward finished as Reims' leading scorer with 14 goals and then established himself as Japan's first-choice left winger at the World Cup after Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma's was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Nakamura scored one goal, provided an assist and was named in Opta's team of the group stage. Japan pushed Brazil all the way in their last-32 match before being knocked out by a last-minute Gabriel Martinelli winner. Who is Keito Nakamura? Nakamura enjoyed a productive season in Ligue 1 during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 11 goals in 32 appearances despite Reims' relegation. He started his football career in the academy at Gamba Osaka before moving to Europe aged 18, with loan spells at FC Twente, Sint-Truiden and Juniors OO. He then joined LASK Linz on a permanent deal before moving to Reims in 2023. He has also become a key figure for Japan, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances, including six in his first six international matches. His pace in the final third, ability to cut inside and shoot, and work rate are his key attributes. Japanese football journalist Tasuku Okawa told BBC Sport: "Due to Stade de Reims' relegation, he currently finds himself playing in the French second division, but the quality he is showing on the world stage proves he belongs at the highest level. "He has turned his transfer frustration into motivation. His performances were not only enough to offset Mitoma's absence but became central to Japan's campaign." Off the pitch, Nakamura is also building a strong personal brand, which is attracting further interest from top clubs. "Not since Hidetoshi Nakata has Japan produced a player with the potential to make a global impact in both football and fashion," journalist Choco Sasaki-Burns added. Nakamura is widely regarded as one of Japan's most marketable footballers, due to his perceived good looks, which have been written about extensively in Japanese before the World Cup and now increasingly in other languages. That visibility has led to a number of commercial partnerships and appearances at fashion events, managed by his parents, including at Paris Fashion Week. Those close to him say he enjoys living in Europe, is open-minded and has adapted well to each move, with a strong focus on nutrition supported by a personal chef who travels with him. Hull sign Gelhardt and Gourna-Douath Hull sign central defenders Mendy and Herrington How would Nakamura fit in at Hull? Ask our team Latest Hull City news, analysis and fan views