Japan midfielder's Real link

Yokohama F Marinos' Japenese star Shunsuke Nakamura is the subject of new interest from major clubs in Spain and Italy, including Real Madrid.

Reports claim that that during a trip to Europe earlier this month, a representative of last season’s J-League Player of the Year received expressions of interest from Spanish sides Real Madrid and Villarreal, plus Serie A clubs Perugia and Lecce.

The links with Real Madrid and Perugia have surfaced before, but Marinos have previously managed to persuade the 23-year-old international that it is in his best interests to continue playing in Japan until after next year’s World Cup.

Now, however, a leading Marinos official says the club will sit down and negotiate if any firm offers are made, and the player himself is reportedly keen to make a move as early as January.

Nevertheless, Nakamura’s form has dipped alarmingly this year, leading to him losing his place on the Japan national team, as he has struggled with injury and Marinos spent the 2001 season hovering around the relegation zone.

A Real Madrid insider told Tokyo daily Nikkan Sports that the Spanish giants are interested in buying Nakamura, but said the eight-time European champions want to see how he performs at next summer’s World Cup before making a bid.