Borussia Dortmund have reportedly prioritised signing Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Daichi Kamada on a free transfer this summer.
The Japanese midfielder's contract at Deutsche Bank Park expires at the end of the season, and Kamada is set to leave the club after six years in western Germany.
Dortmund CEO Sebastian Kehl recently told ZDF that Kamada "is a really interesting player", but tried to calm the transfer speculation around him by saying that "if there is something to report then we will do so".
90min report that Dortmund are leading the chase among Bundesliga clubs for Kamada's signature, and allowing him to remain settled in Germany could strengthen their chances of signing him.
Kamada has scored 18 league goals in the last three-and-a-half seasons with Eintracht, as well as an additional 14 in European competitions, as he played a pivotal role in their UEFA Europa League success last season.
The 26-year-old also featured in all four of Japan's games at the World Cup, as they stunned both Spain and Germany on their way to the last 16.
The potential signing of Kamada does not necessarily make him a replacement for Jude Bellingham though, a player who has been heavily linked with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Bellingham may opt to stay at Dortmund for another 12 months to aid his development, despite the ever-growing interest in him.
When asked about the Bellingham situation, Kehl said: "I will try to extend his contract, yes. We have not spoken with Jude and his family yet. The player is relaxed and focused on football."
The England international reportedly has a £132m price tag on his head, which would make him the most expensive player in British football history should he switch clubs this summer.
Andrew Delaney
