NAKATA HAPPY WITH ARSENAL INTEREST
Nakata has found his path to regular football at the Stadio Olimpico blocked by Italian international Francesco Totti, and the arrival of wonderkid Antonio Cassano will only serve to add to the competition for a Roma shirt.
The Japanese international has been quick to express his dissatisfaction at not being a regular since his arrival from Perugia, and his abilities have found no shortage of admirers throughout Europe.
Cynics suggest that some of the interest in Nakata is the massive Far Eastern television market that he would bring as one of the Orient's highest profile sportsmen.
Nakata, however, was flattered that attention has reportedly been shown by Arsenal, and stated that he would make any decision about a move when the Serie A season finishes: "It's very nice when you hear that teams like Arsenal are interested in you.
"They are a great side with some fantastic players and I'm very interested in the prospect of playing in England.
"We have three games left in Italy and then I'll be able to see about the future, but now I just want to finish the Italian season and hopefully win the title with Roma."
Nakata has also been linked to both Manchester United - who he confessed were his first choice in England - and Parma, who may hold the key to tempting Roma to let the player leave.
Roma are desperate to land a top-class keeper, and they have been open in their admiration for Italian international number one Gianluigi Buffon.
Parma want to cling on to Buffon, but - with the goalkeeper beginning to show signs of itchy feet after relatively barren years for the Gialloblu in Europe and domestically - may decide to both cash in, and bring Nakata to Ennio Tardini.
Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has been linked with a move to Everton, amidst the news that Jerzy Dudek is on the cusp of finalising a move to Highbury.
The Austrian international was once thought to be one of the best up-and-coming goalkeepers in Europe, but has suffered a crisis of form.
