Why Keito Nakamura could be Everton's smartest commercial move in years
Everton's move for Keito Nakamura could unlock a new level of commercial opportunities.
The Stade Reims star is attracting interest from the Blues, as well as Bournemouth and Fulham.
He played in Ligue 2 last season, notching 14 goals and two assists in the second tier.
The Everton target has an agreement in place with the French club, where he can leave for a fee of £21.5million due to their failure to earn promotion, per the BBC.
While he would be an asset on the pitch, it may be off it, where he gives the most benefit for the Toffees.
The Friedkin Group have secured several lucrative deals since their takeover, but signing the 25-year-old may be the best one yet.
Why would Keito Nakamura signing be a commercial masterclass for Everton?
The Friedkins could pull off a masterstoke by signing the 29-cap international.
The report from the BBC reveals insight into how popular Nakamura is, in terms of a branding perspective in Japan.
It states: "Nakamura is widely regarded as one of Japan's most marketable footballers, due to his perceived good looks, which have been written about extensively in Japanese before the World Cup and now increasingly in other languages.
"That visibility has led to a number of commercial partnerships and appearances at fashion events, managed by his parents, including at Paris Fashion Week."
They could boost their profile in Asia massively, which would in turn increase merchandise sales and their global popularity.
Given Nakamura's marketability, it could be the best business that the Merseysiders have done in years.
What would Nakamura signing mean for Everton?
Nakamura has shown that he can perform at the top level, as he had a brilliant World Cup campaign for the Blue Samurai.
He managed to grab one goal and one assist at the tournament, which helped his side reach the round of 32, where they were knocked out by Brazil.
He showed his ability to cause problems for defences, with 1.45 shots and 1.16 chances created on a per 90 basis, per Fotmob.
Everton already have an abundance of left-wingers if Jack Grealish is signed, with Tyrique George and Iliman Ndiaye also capable of playing in the position.
However, the impact on the Blues' finances could be even more valuable than what he brings David Moyes' side on the pitch.
They have often struggled to capture the Asian market, but this provides an opportunity to get a foothold and perhaps become one of the most visible Premier League sides, in one of the biggest countries in the region.
The L3 outfit have often lagged behind their rivals, but this could help them catch up significantly, in terms of their branding and appeal across the world.