Everton are being linked to Reims winger Keito Nakamura, with the Japanese international reportedly valued at €25 million by his current club.
Reims want a substantial €25 million for the 25-year-old, who has impressed in Ligue 2 with 14 goals and two assists across 29 appearances in the 2025/26 campaign.
Nakamura's underlying metrics look strong, but context matters when considering a move to the Premier League. Ligue 2 is not the Premier League, and players who excel in the French second tier often struggle when facing top-flight defenders.
The cold, hard reality of Goodison finances means Everton cannot afford to throw €25 million at a punt. Years of walking the tightrope under Profitability and Sustainability rules have left deep scars on the club's transfer chest.
Marseille looks a far better fit for Nakamura, keeping him in France and putting him back in Ligue 1 with a manageable step up. Besiktas offer guaranteed European football through the Turkish route, both options fitting his current level better than jumping headfirst into a Premier League dogfight.
Signing players for the marketing department rarely works out on the pitch, and Everton need actual quality to improve their starting eleven, not a PR stunt. Reims need to lower their demands significantly, or Everton ought to turn around and walk away.
Everton cannot afford to take on the financial risk of signing Nakamura at his current valuation. The club's transfer chest is still recovering from years of walking the tightrope under Profitability and Sustainability rules.
The commercial benefits of signing a high-profile Japanese star might be tempting, but they are outweighed by the need for actual quality to improve the team. Reims need to come down from their €25 million valuation, or Everton should look elsewhere.
Nakamura's impressive goalscoring record and underlying metrics make him an attractive prospect, but the step up to the Premier League is a significant one. Everton need to carefully consider whether the financial risk is worth taking.
The ball is now in Reims' court, with the French club needing to lower their demands significantly if they want to sell Nakamura to Everton. The Toffees will be watching closely to see what happens next.
Source: Yahoo Sports