Marseille Targets Reims Forward Keito Nakamura Following Squad Changes
Stade de Reims’ Keito Nakamura (25) has reportedly caught the eye of Olympique de Marseille, according to La Provence.
In search of offensive reinforcements following the departures of Mason Greenwood (24), Hamed Junior Traoré (26) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (37), Marseille’s management has reportedly made the Japanese player one of its targets.
Advertisement
Signed by Les Rouge et Blanc from LASK for €12 million in the summer of 2023, the Japanese forward has established himself as one of the team’s key players. As evidenced by his 32 appearances (29 starts) last season – a successful campaign capped by a strong World Cup performance – he tallied 14 goals and three assists.
However, pulling off the deal looks set to be a daunting task for OM, which is facing significant financial constraints, while Everton, AFC Bournemouth, and Fulham are also reportedly monitoring Nakamura’s situation.
In any case, having already expressed a desire to leave Reims last year, the Chiba native has been granted permission to leave, as the club’s general manager, Mathieu Lacour, reminded L’Union: “We have a verbal agreement with him; he has been granted permission to leave, but the player must still be satisfied, and Stade de Reims must also benefit from the deal.”