LASK star Keito Nakamura is ‘very interested’ in sealing a move to Lille despite a recent bid from Premier League giants Liverpool.
A Japan international attacker brought in from Austrian football? Liverpool have been here before.
And, with Foot Mercato reporting that Jurgen Klopp’s side have submitted a £6 million bid, it seems that the struggles of Takumi Minamino at Anfield will be no obstacle to Keito Nakamura’s prospects of a life-changing switch to the red side of Stanley Park.
Liverpool could miss out on Keito Nakamura
22-year-old, Osaka-born Nakamura was outstanding in 2022/23. He scored 17 goals and set up eight more for LASK, cutting inside from the left wing to devastating effect.
LASK are holding out for £9.5 million – rejecting Liverpool’s initial offer. The prospect of more regular first-team football across the Channel in France, however, appears to have Nakamura leaning in favour of Lille rather than Liverpool, with the 2021 Ligue 1 champions confirming that the former FC Twente loanee is keen on a move to the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
“He’s a player with a very interesting profile. He’s also very interested in joining us,” says Lille president Olivier Letang, who recently ruled out a permanent move for Everton midfielder Andre Gomes.
“We haven’t reached an agreement with the club (LASK) yet.”
Speaking to Austrian publication OO Nachricthen, LASK’s sporting director Radovan Vujanovic admitted that ‘negotiations are ongoing’. Of course, if it comes down to a straight financial battle, Liverpool would have few problems landing a knockout blow.
The Reds, Foot Mercato add, offered to send Nakamura back on loan to LASK for the 2023/24 season before the youngster finally arrived at Anfield 12 months down the line.
“Keito really is an exceptional soccer player,” smiles LASK coach Dietmar Kuhbauer (Sky Austria). “An exceptional technician and blessed with a really good shooting technique.”
If he was to end up at Anfield, Nakamura would add depth to Liverpool frontline; easing the burden on Luis Diaz after a season ruined by injury.
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