The 26-year-old started all four of Japan's matches at this summer's World Cup and is eager to leave France for the Premier League, having previously attracted attention from Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham. Reims, competing in Ligue 2 following their relegation from Ligue 1, are standing firm on their asking price.
Nakamura would arrive at a club already reshaped this summer. Hull City have made 11 signings ahead of their return to the Premier League, spending an estimated £76million in the process, including a deal for fellow Japan international Hidemasa Morita.
The winger's willingness to leave Reims comes despite interest last year from Villarreal and Besiktas, when offers of up to £15.5million failed to tempt the Ligue 2 club into a sale. He finished as Reims' top scorer with 14 goals in 2025-26 and then took over as Japan's first-choice left winger at the World Cup after Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Nakamura scored once, added an assist and was named in Opta's team of the group stage as Japan pushed Brazil close in the last 32 before a stoppage-time Gabriel Martinelli goal ended their run.
His best individual season in France came in 2024-25, when he scored 11 goals in 32 Ligue 1 appearances despite Reims' relegation from the top flight that year. He began his career at Gamba Osaka's academy before moving to Europe at 18, taking in loan spells at FC Twente, Sint-Truiden and Juniors OO before a permanent switch to LASK Linz and, in 2023, a move to Reims.
He has become a key figure for Japan too, scoring 11 goals in 29 caps, including six in his opening six international appearances. Pace, the ability to cut inside and shoot, and a strong work rate remain his standout attributes, and Hull will hope those qualities can translate to English football if a fee can eventually be agreed.