|
TOKYO, May 16 (Reuters) - J-League club Yokohama F-Marinos have sent an official to Spain for talks with Real Madrid over the stalled sale of Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura to the newly-crowned European champions. Katsunori Nakamura left on Thursday to press Real Madrid to give F-Marinos a definitive answer after negotiations came to a halt recently, the club confirmed. The two clubs agreed a $3 million fee in January that would send Nakamura to Madrid after the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan, which kicks off on May 31. Since then Real have made little contact, prompting concern at Yokohama that the Spanish club could back out of the deal. "An F-Marinos representative left for Spain today. If the answer (from Real Madrid) is 'no' then we will have to make other arrangements," a Yokohama official told Reuters. Atletico Madrid and Italian Serie A side Perugia are also reported to be keen to sign Nakamura, who is keen to play in Europe next season. Real Madrid were hoping to see Nakamura at close quarters when they beat Japan 1-0 in a friendly at the Bernabeu Stadium last week but he was ruled out with a knee injury. Given Real's embarrassment of riches in a midfield which includes current and former FIFA World Players of the Year Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane, Nakamura would struggle to win a place in the first team. However, Real are said to be interested in the marketing opportunities that would result from the signing of a big-name Japanese player. Nakamura, who has scored five goals in 21 appearances for his country, is expected to be named in Japan's 23-man World Cup squad on Friday.
|