Official | Keito Nakamura returns to Reims training | OneFootball

Stade de Reims saw their squad picked apart over the summer, following their relegation from Ligue 1 to Ligue 2. There has been a spate of big-name departures. Yehvann Diouf, Valentin Atangana, Amadou Koné, Junya Ito, Nhoa Sangui, Mamadou Diakhon, and Thibault De Smet all left the club during the transfer window.

However, to the surprise of many, one player that stayed put was Keito Nakamura. Despite Reims’ poor season, Nakamura enhanced his reputation, netting 11 goals in Ligue 1. As a result, it was natural that he attracted interest. As per reports from L’Équipe, Reims turned down two offers for the Japan international. The first was from Besiktas and was worth €15m, and the second was from La Liga side Villarreal and worth €18m.

Reims resisted those advances to retain their player. However, he has yet to feature this season. Reims have said that he has been undergoing an “adapted protocol” since mid-July, which has kept him out of first-team training for nearly two months. However, Les Stadistes have now confirmed that Nakamura has returned to first-team training.

“The Japan international has reintegrated the Reims squad and reaffirmed to the management, the staff, and the group, his complete commitment to fighting for the Rémois colours with professionalism and ambition,” read the statement.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle