British media: Hull City interested in Keito Nakamura; Reims have set a price tag of £21.5 million.

According to British media reports, Hull City are interested in signing Reims winger Keito Nakamura.

The 26-year-old Japanese international started all four of the World Cup matches, and French second-division side Reims has valued him at £21.5 million.

However, the asking price scared off potential suitors. Keito Nakamura hopes to move to the Premier League, and he has previously attracted interest from Everton, Bournemouth, and Fulham.

Hull City have signed 11 players this summer, including fellow Japanese player Hidemasa Morita. The team has spent approximately £76 million since returning to the Premier League.

Keito Nakamura wants to leave France. He played in Ligue 2 last season, despite offers from clubs like Villarreal and Besiktas, with the highest bid reaching £15.5 million, last summer.

This versatile forward was Reims' top scorer last season with 14 goals, and then replaced Kaoru Mitoma as Japan's starting left winger in the World Cup after Mitoma was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Keito Nakamura scored one goal and provided one assist, and was also selected for Opta's World Cup Group Stage Team of the Week. Japan pushed Brazil to the brink in the Round of 16, but were ultimately eliminated by a last-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli.

In the 2024-25 season, Keito Nakamura also had a stable output in Ligue 1. Despite Reims' relegation, he still scored 11 goals in 32 appearances.

He came through the youth academy of Gamba Osaka and went to Europe at the age of 18, where he was loaned to Twente, St. Trudeau, and Juniors OO. He then permanently joined LASK Linz and transferred to Reims in 2023.

He has also become a key player for the Japanese team, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances, including 6 goals in the first 6 international matches.

His key characteristics are speed in the attacking third, ability to cut inside and shoot, and enthusiasm for running.

Japanese football journalist Sosuke Okawa said in an interview: "Due to Reims' relegation, he can only play in Ligue 2 for now, but the strength he has shown on the world stage proves that he fully deserves the highest level."

"He turned the transfer setback into motivation. His performance not only made up for the absence of Kaoru Mitoma, but also became a core part of the Japanese team's journey."

Off the field, Keito Nakamura is also building his personal brand, which has attracted the attention of more top clubs.

Reporter Sasaki Yasuhiro added, "Since Hidetoshi Nakata, no Japanese player has possessed the potential to generate global influence in both football and fashion as much as he has."

Keito Nakamura is widely regarded as one of Japan's most commercially valuable players, and his appearance has attracted considerable attention. This point was repeatedly mentioned by the Japanese media before the World Cup, and now there are more and more reports in other languages.

This exposure brought him numerous business collaborations and fashion event appearances, with his parents also helping him manage related matters, including Paris Fashion Week.

Those who know him say that Keito Nakamura enjoys living in Europe, has an open personality, and can adapt well to every transfer. He also attaches great importance to diet management and has a personal chef by his side to provide support.