Birmingham eye Japan defender Nagatomo: report

Birmingham City have joined the race to sign versatile Japanese international defender Yuto Nagatomo, a report said on Friday.

The speedy 23-year-old left-back has impressed for a Japan side that has stormed to the final 16 of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil.

Despite offers from several European clubs, the diminutive FC Tokyo defender has long dreamed of playing in the English Premier League, the Sports Nippon newspaper said.

Italian sides Cesena and Bologna, Spain’s Real Mallorca and German club Borussia Dortmund have expressed an interest in the player, the report said.

The Nikkan Sports newspaper said FC Tokyo will hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss Nagatomo’s possible transfer to Europe.

Although he can play across the backline, he has been used predominantly on the left side.

Nagatomo has scored five goals in 68 matches for FC Tokyo and been capped 28 times for Japan since May 2008, scoring three goals.

“His great success (during the World Cup) has attracted eyes of scouts from clubs suffering a lack of resources,” the Nikkan said.