Liverpool are one of the teams actively scouting Japanese forward Keito Nakamura this season.
That’s according to journalist Mike McGrath. Writing on Twitter yesterday, McGrath claimed that the Reds have been sending talent spotters to watch Nakamura play for Austrian side LASK.
Encouragingly, the journalist also reports that notoriously slick recruiters Brighton have been doing exactly the same.
Nakamura has also reportedly been subject to ‘approaches’ from Augsburg of Germany and Reims of France. However, the 22-year-old is said to be set to stay at LASK for the rest of the campaign.
Liverpool will reportedly ‘continue to monitor’ the Japan U20 star.
Liverpool looking to scout smart once more
This is a new name to flicker up on the Liverpool radar. But given the talent we’ve seen from Japanese players of late, perhaps it’s a wise market for the Reds to tap into.
The national team were excellent at the recent World Cup. Meanwhile, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma has given Liverpool a torrid time twice since then.
Of course, Nakamura wouldn’t be the first player from the country to make the move to Liverpool. Takumi Minamino also arrived at Anfield having lit up the Austrian league.
And Taki’s younger countryman does have a hint of the former Liverpool No.18 about him. Tidy with the ball at his feet, a good dribbler and a decent-looking finisher, Nakamura has eight goals and three assists this season.
He’s still yet to be capped by his country. But carry on that good form, and a call-up won’t be far away, too.
After what we’ve seen over the last few weeks, Liverpool can learn a lot from Brighton. To begin scouting in the same pools as the South Coast side isn’t a bad place to start rebuilding our flailing recruitment policy.
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