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Southampton: Saints linked with move for Shoya Nakajima

By Chris Hughes

RIO MAIOR PORTUGAL - MARCH 28: Japan's Midfielder Shoya Nakajima during the Friendly match between Japan U-23 v Sporting Clube de Portugal B at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior on March 28, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
RIO MAIOR PORTUGAL - MARCH 28: Japan's Midfielder Shoya Nakajima during the Friendly match between Japan U-23 v Sporting Clube de Portugal B at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior on March 28, 2016 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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Southampton are reportedly stepping up their interest in Japanese star Shoya Nakajima, who currently plies in his trade in Portugal.

The pacey left-winger has been directly involved in nearly a goal a game so far for Portimonense, with four goals and three assists already.

Southampton apparently had scouts in attendance when his side played Belenenses last week, and are now reportedly looking to rival Leicester City in signing the £20-million rated wide man in January.

It remains unclear whether these rumours have any truth behind them, especially as it’s even less clear whether Mark Hughes will even be in charge by the time the winter transfer window opens in the new year.

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LIEGE, BELGIUM – MARCH 23: Shoya Nakajima of Japan reacts during an international friendly between Japan and Mali at the Stade de Sclessin on March 23, 2018 in Liege, Belgium. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
LIEGE, BELGIUM – MARCH 23: Shoya Nakajima of Japan reacts during an international friendly between Japan and Mali at the Stade de Sclessin on March 23, 2018 in Liege, Belgium. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images) /

The 24-year-old only joined the Portuguese side permanently this January after a successful loan spell in the six months prior, which was his first step in European football after previously playing with FC Tokyo in Japan.

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Southampton are desperately short in terms of depth out wide, having loaned out both Sofiane Boufal and Josh Sims while only bringing in Mohamed Elyounoussi from Switzerland.

As the report states, Portimonense don’t have the same financial strength as the bigger teams in Portugal and therefore the Saints may be able to pry him away for much less than that £20 million valuation.

Nakajima scored ten goals set up a further 12 for Portimonense last season all in all, with these being comparable numbers to Elyounossi’s during his last year with Basel. While the Liga NOS is a stronger league than the top tier of Swiss football it’s still tough to expect the Japanese international to replicate those numbers in the Premier League.

However, standing at just five-foot-four, the winger would bring some serious pace and agility to the left-hand side, rivaling Nathan Redmond for the starting spot. If Southampton fans do get their way and Hughes is sacked, then a manager who plays a more dynamic 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation could help bring the best out of the Saints’ wingers and Nakajima could be a great addition.

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