"9.4 billion won, too expensive to buy..." Lyon signs Japanese Nakamura for 20 billion won more: 'A woman club owner's ironic choice'

*This content was translated by AI.

Olympique Lyonnais has unexpectedly signed Japanese national team striker Nakamura Keito (26) instead of Bae Jun-ho (23, Stoke City).

Lyon officially announced on the 3rd (Korean time) that it had acquired Japanese national team striker Nakamura from Stade de Reims. The contract runs until June 30, 2030, for four years.

The transfer fee consists of a fixed 1 million euros plus variable options up to 19 million euros, totaling a maximum of 20 million euros (approximately 31.5 billion won). It also includes a sell-on clause granting Reims 12.5% of any future sale proceeds if Nakamura is transferred to another club.

Nakamura made his professional debut with J-League side Gamba Osaka before moving to Europe, playing for Twente (Netherlands) and Sint-Truiden (Belgium), before joining Reims in 2023. He scored 11 goals and provided two assists in the top flight during the 2024–2025 season but could not prevent his team's relegation. In the 2025–2026 second division, he recorded 14 goals and two assists as a key player.

He has also earned 29 caps for the Japanese national team with 11 goals. At the 2026 CONCACAF Nations League, he started all four of Japan's matches and scored in the 2-2 draw against the Netherlands.

Nakamura stated, "It is meaningful to be the first Japanese player in the club's history, and I will contribute to the team's success."

Initially, Lyon's top target was Bae Jun-ho of England's Championship (second division). Although Bae also hoped to join Lyon, negotiations between the clubs ultimately collapsed because Lyon could not meet Stoke City's demanded transfer fee.

Notably, Lyon expressed reluctance toward Stoke City's asking price of 6 million euros (approximately 9.4 billion won) for Bae Jun-ho and withdrew from the deal. However, it immediately pivoted to Nakamura, willingly committing up to 20 million euros including options, creating a stark contrast. In the end, Lyon signed Nakamura just before the transfer window closed, leaving Bae Jun-ho at Stoke City.

Meanwhile, Lyon, a historic club that achieved seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles from 2001 onward, is currently owned by Michelle Kang (Korean name: Kang Yong-mi), a Korean-American businessman. With an estimated net worth of 1.2 billion dollars (approximately 1.78 trillion won), she is known as the "Mansour of women's football."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.