Sources: Brighton plotting to sign red-hot forward Keito Nakamura
Brighton and Hove Albion are plotting a move for Japanese attacker Keito Nakamura, sources have told Football Insider.
The left-sided attacker, 22, has been earning rave reviews playing in the Austrian Bundesliga with LASK and his performances have alerted a number of clubs across Europe’s bigger leagues.
Brighton have a proven track record of identifying and signing some young top talents in the transfer market and they see Nakamura as a potential star in the making.
Nakamura, who is under contract at LASK until 2025, could be available for as a little as £3million.
He has scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 16 games so far this season.
That comes after a breakthrough season in the 2021-22 campaign which saw him net 12 goals and make two assists – including three strikes in Europa Conference League competition.
The Japan Under-21 international signed a fresh contract extension during the summer.
Nakamura has mostly operated on the left-hand side but can also play as a second striker as well as lead the line himself.
Brighton are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements with their top scorer, Leandro Trossard, reportedly set for a move away from the Amex Stadium.
Trossard, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has netted seven goals in 12 league appearances this term.
Nakamura would join countryman Kaoru Mitoma on the south coast after he signed from Kawasaki Frontale in 2021.
Brighton sit a lofty eighth in the Premier League table despite the acrimonious departure of former boss Graham Potter in September.
The Seagulls have lost just four of their opening 13 league games of the season.
They face a trip to struggling Wolves on Saturday (5 November).
In other news, Football Insider updates as Premier League club plot move for Rangers star Ryan Kent.