The 2026 World Cup has seen a number of players raise their profiles, and Keito Nakamura’s performances for Japan have alerted Everton.
Having signed Hayden Hackney, the Toffees will now turn their attention to other positions.
Many are clamouring to see a new right-back, but there is also a need for a new centre-back, striker and at least one forward.
Now Hackney is confirmed, who should Everton be bringing in next? 💰
Time to take our foot off the brake pedal in the market…
And it looks like a winger could be next on the agenda, with BBC Sport suggesting today that Keito Nakamura is a target for the Toffees.
It comes after Everton were also recently linked with Nakamura’s Japan teammate, Ayase Ueda.
But they aren’t the only side keen, with Bournemouth and Fulham also said to be in the mix.
But just who is the Japan star who could be running the channels at Hill Dickinson Stadium next season?
Who is Keito Nakamura?
Keito Nakamura was born on 28 July 2000, making him 25 years old.
He developed at Mitsubishi Yowa – a Kanto Soccer League side – before joining Gamba Osaka ahead of the 2018 J1 League season.
During his time there, he went out on loan a few times to the likes of Twente, Sint-Truiden and Juniors OO, before leaving to join LASK in Austria.
But he currently plays for Ligue 2 side Reims over in France, where he’s been since 2023 – and the star has enjoyed a decent spell there, scoring 30 goals and making seven assists in 97 appearances.
And of course, Nakamura has international pedigree and has raised his profile at the 2026 World Cup.
Nakamura started all four of Japan’s games at the tournament, scoring against the Netherlands in the first game and providing one assist against Tunisia. The four appearances take him up to 29 caps for the national team.
Interestingly, BBC Sport’s article touched on Nakamura also being ‘one of Japan’s most marketable footballers due to his perceived good looks’.
Journalist Choco Sasaki-Burns is quoted as saying: “Not since Hidetoshi Nakata has Japan produced a player with the potential to make a global impact in both football and fashion.”
Everton would likely not only bring in an emerging player here, but also someone to potentially increase commercial opportunities.
Nakamura is also said to place a ‘strong focus on nutrition’, and is supported by a personal chef who travels with him.
What is Keito Nakamura like as a player?
Nakamura tends to occupy spaces on the left wing and being a right-footer, his natural instinct is to cut inside. He can also play as a centre-forward – last term, he had six games through the middle and was actually very productive, scoring five goals.
As per Breaking The Lines, Nakamura’s ‘best trait is by far his dribbling’.
They say: “Nakamura is always in control of the ball and uses his extreme control plus speed to leave defenders in the dust. He is also extremely agile, which allows him to change direction and often exploit the defence. Nakamura uses lots of fakes, many of which don’t even move the ball, but he uses his movements to fake out defenders”
BTL also talk up Nakamura’s prowess in front of goal, adding: “He is an extremely composed finisher with either of his feet. The primarily right-footed player is extremely composed in the box and doesn’t appear to ever be rushed when shooting.”
How much could Nakamura cost?
BBC Sport have suggested that Nakamura has an agreement in place with his club Reims to leave if an offer of £21.5 million comes in.
This, after Reims failed to get promoted to Ligue 1, with Nakamura a player who is capable of playing top-tier football.
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