Liverpool have been snubbed by LASK winger Keito Nakamura and he is now in talks over a move to Stade de Reims.
Keito Nakamura has decided to dodge a move to Liverpool but could now trade LASK for Stade de Reims in Ligue 1.
Foot Mercato reported just last month that Liverpool offered around €7million (£6million) for Nakamura.
That report claimed that a loan back to LASK was on the table but the deal simply didn’t materialise.
French reporter Mohamed Toubache-Ter now claims that Liverpool wanted Nakamura but it was the winger who rejected the move.
Nakamura seemingly didn’t like the idea of being loaned straight out and decided to dodge a move to Anfield.
Toubache-Ter adds that Reims have made a move for Nakamura in an attempt to team him up with fellow Japanese winger Junya Ito.
However, Nakamura allegedly isn’t all that keen on Reims and prefers a move to Lille, who have been unable to strike a deal.
Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri added that Nakamura was due to meet with Reims on Wednesday to try and thrash out a deal with a fee of €11million (£9.5million) agreed.
Unless Nakamura has a huge change of heart, there is seemingly no chance for Liverpool to complete this deal with a move to France now seeming more likely.
Keito Nakamura could have been an exciting investment for Liverpool
We’re used to seeing Liverpool move for players with ties to Austrian football, but usually through the Red Bull Salzburg ranks.
Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, Takumi Minamino and now Dominik Szoboszlai have all arrived at Liverpool in recent years after shining for Red Bull Salzburg.
This time it’s LASK with Nakamura seemingly attracting interest from Liverpool.
The 23-year-old hit 17 goals and eight assists last season, dazzling as a left winger for LASK whilst being hailed as ‘exceptional’ by former LASK boss Dietmar Kuhbauer.
Liverpool may well have seen Nakamura as a talent who could make a real Premier League impact, somewhat similar to compatriot Kaoru Mitoma.
Brighton immediately loaned Mitoma out to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise though, and Liverpool seemingly had the same plan for Nakamura.
The Reds may have seen a big future for Nakamura if developed correctly, but will now seemingly have to keep tabs on him in France instead.