Liverpool have reportedly had an offer rejected by Austrian side LASK for Keito Nakamura, with the 22-year-old expected to make a big move this summer.
According to Foot Mercato, the Reds have been shot down by the Bundesliga side after making a €7m (£6m) bid for the Japanese international, with LASK setting a club-record asking price of €11m (£9.5m) for Nakamura.
Scoring an incredible 17 goals in all competitions last season, Nakamura is the latest Asian superstar to make a name for themselves in Austria, with the likes of Liverpool and French side LOSC Lille all interested in the winger.
Lauded by Left Back Football for his ‘phenomenal’ passing ability, Nakamura transitioned last season from an unconventional wide-playmaker to a full-blown goalscorer, with the winger becoming quite the force for LASK.
And now, Liverpool are looking to bring the winger to Anfield, though the Reds have already been rejected once by the Austrian side for Nakamura, who could prefer a move to France with Lille for immediate first-team football.
Indeed, as per the report, Liverpool’s plan with Nakamura is to sign the forward this summer before shipping him off on loan for the season, a proposal that LASK and the winger seemingly disagree with.
Liverpool are making an odd decision in bidding for Nakamura
There’s no denying that Nakamura is a good talent with the potential to become a star in a top Europe division. But for Liverpool, making a bid for the Japanese international this summer feels odd, to say the least.
As we know, Liverpool’s main priority in the transfer window this year is to add to the midfield and to flesh out the defence, with the attack now easily good enough to challenge for the entire Premier League campaign.
Which is why Liverpool’s bid for Nakamura is so weird, especially with every fan knowing that a new midfielder has to be signed as soon as possible with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson on the verge of leaving.
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