Premier clubs eye Nakamura as Reims set £21.5m price

Keito Nakamura, the 26‑year‑old Japanese winger who impressed at the World Cup, is being courted by Premier League sides Bournemouth, Everton and Fulham, all of whom are weighing a £21.5 million release clause after his French club Reims failed to secure promotion to Ligue 1 last season.

Reims have a clause that permits Nakamura to depart for a fee estimated at £21.5 million, a figure the club set after missing out on promotion to Ligue 1. The clause activates if a suitable offer is presented.

Everton and Bournemouth have each inquired about the conditions required to sign Nakamura, but both clubs indicated they would need to replace departing attackers before finalising any deal. Their inquiries underline the clubs' desire to bolster the wing with a proven international performer.

Fulham, who are expected to appoint Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager, have also expressed interest, adding to the Premier League competition for the Japanese winger. Arbeloa's potential arrival could shape Fulham’s recruitment strategy toward the Asian market.

Last season, Nakamura featured in the French second division, attracting attention from Spanish side Villarreal and Turkish giants Beşiktaş, with offers reportedly reaching up to £15.5 million. Those bids fell short of Reims’ eventual release clause.

He ended the campaign as Reims’ top scorer, netting 14 goals, and cemented his role as Japan’s first‑choice left winger after Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma withdrew with a hamstring injury. His versatility on the flank made him a valuable asset for both club and country.

At the World Cup, Nakamura contributed one goal and an assist, earning a place in Opta’s team of the group stage as Japan pushed Brazil before a late winner eliminated the Samurai Blue. The performance highlighted his ability to impact high‑pressure matches.

With the transfer window approaching, the £21.5 million price tag and the interest from multiple English clubs suggest Nakamura’s next move could reshape his career and provide Reims with a substantial fee after a disappointing season. The outcome will likely influence Reims’ rebuilding plans for the upcoming campaign.